Williams keeps up the pressure in Marstrand

Ian Williams and his GAC Pindar crew continued their impressive form on day three of the Stena Match Cup, part of the Alpari championship in Marstrand, Sweden, winning both his races and retaining his position at the top of the leader board, with 10 points.

Speaking afterwards, Williams said: “Conditions were good today, with a stronger wind, and we had two really exciting races. Our first, against Bjorn Hansen, went down to the wire, and our second race against Mathieu Richard was equally tense.” Francesco Bruni of Luna Rossa is second behind Ian Williams, also with 10 points.

Delivering almost metronomic consistency over the four stages, Jérémie Beyou stepped up to win the final, 390-mile stage from Les Sables d’Olonne to Cherbourg and with it his third victory in the Figaro Solo Race.

Best British skipper overall is rookie Sam Matson (Artemis 21) who ended his first La Solitaire du Figaro-Eric Bompard cachemire in 15 overall. After 12, 18 and 20 places on the previous legs, he stands 15th overall, an satisfying opening to his professional solo racing career. If he was disappointed to have ceded the Beneteau Bizuth’s award for rookies to his French rival Gwenolet Gahinet, he was more than happy with his final result.