Ian Williams and his Team GAC Pindar crew have got off to a flying start at the St Moritz Match Race in Switzerland, winning the round robin stage of the competition and progressing directly to the semi-finals.

Despite tricky and shifty conditions on Lake St Moritz all week, Williams secured victory in 9 of 11 round robin races over the first three days of sailing. The twice previous World Match Racing champion was only narrowly defeated on day one by current tour leader Mathieu Richard (French Match Racing Team), and on the final day to Adam Minoprio (ETNZ/Black Match Racing).

Williams, who will bypass the quarter-final stage of the competition, will be looking to continue his impressive display and progress to the final tomorrow, when he will be bidding to take the ‘King of the Mountains’ title in St Moritz.

Speaking ahead of the semi-finals, Williams said, ‘We are very pleased to have won the round robins and to have secured a top four finish at the St Moritz Match Race. We will be watching the quarter-finals, trying to learn more about how the breeze is stuctured on the course, which may help us to gain an advantage in the semi-finals.’

Six world class skippers have reached the quarter-final stages of the competition, including fellow Brit Ben Ainslie (Team Origin) and current tour leader Mathieu Richard (French Match Racing Team), with just three teams able to secure a place to join Williams in the semi-finals.

Williams, who won in St Moritz in 2007, is currently lying fourth in the Tour standings on 52 points.

To follow the action online, please visit : http://www.wmrt.com / http://www.stmoritz-matchrace.ch