Another day of high quality match racing in Weymouth saw GBR Challenge representatives Andy Green and Chris Main take third and fourth place respectively, at the RYA Match Racing Open.

The British duo were pipped for the top two spots by Paolo Cian from the Onorato America’s Cup team and Ian Williams. Williams, who has been the main contender to Andy Beadsworth on the RYA’s domestic First Class 8 match racing circuit over the last five years, took the title to add to the national championship he won last week.

Andy Green explained how the event had provided his crew with the opportunity to prepare for the Colorcraft Gold Cup in Bermuda. “The extremely high standard this week has made this event invaluable for us as a crew. With the Colorcraft Cup in Bermuda in three weeks time, the regatta has provided us with the opportunity to race together under pressure.

Green and Main were beaten into the finals today by Paolo Cian and Ian Williams respectively, resulting in the two teams from GBR Challenge battling it out for third and fourth places. The playoff was just one race and began with the two boats mirroring each other on a long starboard tack but, playing the windshifts better than his GBR Challenge team mate, Green pulled away and went on to win the race and third position overall in the event.

In the semi finals, Green and Cian had to complete five races to decide who would be ‘first to three’. Green spectacularly won the first race by a six boat length lead, then Cian took the second race which was much closer with the two teams coming in together either side of the finish line. Cian won the third race quite comfortably but Green then won his must-win fourth race. The winds became much lighter for the fifth match which Green led at the start. However, Cian passed Green after a near collision at the second windward mark to go on and win his place in the finals.

The semi final between Main and Williams kept the umpires on their toes with Main receiving a double red flag after an incident at the windward mark in the first race. Williams went on to win the race easily, and the second race was also his for the taking. The third race saw appeals by both boats for penalties on their opponents but both were denied and Williams secured his place in the final by finishing in front of Main. Williams went on to beat Paulo Cian in the final to become RYA Match Racing Open Champion.