Ian Williams has regained the lead of the World Match Racing Tour. Having been knocked off the number one spot by Mathieu Richard (FRA) earlier this summer, Williams reclaimed command of the leader board having finished in third place at the Danish Open in Skovshoved this weekend and in second place at the recent Portugal Match Cup. Williams is currently the nation’s most successful match racing sailor.

Ian, 30, who is based in Southampton, UK, has been ranked number one on the World Match Racing Tour for seven months this season. Williams finished second in the 2005-6 season, but no Briton has ever won the World Match Racing Tour, currently in its seventh season (also formerly known as the Swedish Match Tour and the World Championships). Next event for Ian Williams and Team Pindar is the St Moritz Match Race, starting tomorrow in Switzerland.

Pindar, who have sponsored Ian Williams since October last year, recently became an Official Sponsor of the World Match Racing Tour. Pindar assists the World Tour in producing a new range of promotional and print literature to promote the Tour to its worldwide audience.

Ian Williams commented: “We are thrilled to move back up into the number one spot on the World Match Racing Tour with another top result at the Danish Open. With Mathieu Richard and Paolo Cian, our biggest rivals on the Tour failing to score any points, we were able to resume our command of the series. With five events and four months left to go until the end of the Tour, Team Pindar are looking to stay at the top.”

Andrew Pindar, Chairman of the Pindar Group commented: “Congratulations to Ian and his team for their performance this weekend in Denmark. The World Match Racing Tour is extremely close with constant place changing between the World’s top match racing sailors, it’s fascinating to follow. We’d like to wish Team Pindar the best of luck at the St Moritz Match Race this coming week.”