Williams moves up the world championship table

A one-place move up the world championship table was a welcome reward for the current title holder Ian Williams, who beat France’s Philippe Presti 2-1 in the third-place play-off the St. Moritz match race grand prix today.

But, with just three regattas to run in the 2009 season, his Team Pindar will have its work cut out if it is to achieve a hat-trick of world championship wins in December.

The man who won the ‘king of the mountains’ title in the crystal clear but chilly sunshine of a lake better known for hosting winter sports which include ice cricket, was the New Zealander Adam Minoprio and that put him top of a heap he was struggling to stick with a year ago. The man Minoprio beat in the final is another rising young talent, the 24-year old Australian Torvar Mirsky.

At 32, Williams seems almost like a veteran and his result yesterday means he has a complete set of first, second, third and fourth place results on the tricky Alpine track.

“It’s been a tough week and on the one hand we’re pleased to have gained a place in the rankings and closed the gap on early leader Mathieu Richard, but a win for Adam has certainly boosted his title chances,” said Williams..

“We now have just one day off before we head to Denmark, where we’ll be looking for a big result and then keep our titles hopes improving in Bermuda. We need to be in a strong position before the final regatta, the Monsoon Cup in Malaysia, because that scores double points.”

The man responsible for that regatta in Malaysia, Patrick Lim was keeping a watching eye in St. Moritz and plans also to visit Aarhuis. By the time he is hosting his own show he may also own the whole tour.

Neither he nor his partner Peter Gilmour was answering questions on their takeover of the World Match Race Tour, but it is clear that among their plans would be to include China, probably in Shanghai, and a wish to develop the under-represented United States.