Stena Match Cup: Ian Williams and GAC Pindar pulled back from lead after penalty

Britain’s Ian Williams (left) and GAC Pindar crew Gerry Mitchell (centre) and Chris Main sit at 1-1 in the semi-final of the Stena Match Cup in Marstrand, Sweden (Ian Roman)

It was honours even in both semi-finals of the Stena Match Cup in Marstrand as four-time world match racing champion Ian Williams and his GAC Pindar crew at first taking the lead against Italy’s Francesco Bruni, carrying Luna Rossa America’s Cup colours, but going into the clubhouse, which is a castle, 1-1.

Williams had to take a penalty in the second race which cost him a match delayed as the evening conditions in the amphitheatre-style bay became less stable. “If we can stay out of trouble with the umpires tomorrow, we should have a great chance," said Williams, who was not quite sure why he had been penalised in the first place.

​​The best of five semis continues on Saturday followed by the final and third place play-off.

In the other half of the semi, defending 2013 champion, Taylor Canfield of the US Virgin Islands, squared the day at 1-1 against Swedish veteran, but local favourite, Bjorn Hansen, who had dismissed Australia’s Keith Swinton in the quarter final. Canfield had a patchy start to the regatta but has fought back, beating France’s Mathieu Richard in their quarter final.