Ian Williams beats Ben Ainslie in round robin racing in the Argo Group Gold Cup grand prix

The action is taking place in Bermuda

Ian Williams and Team GAC Pindar lead Ben Ainslie’s BART crew in their top of the table clash as part of the Argo Group Gold Cup regatta in Bermuda, part of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour (WMRT/DAN TOWERS/ONEDITION )

The early morning showdown between Ian Williams and Ben Ainslie went to the defending world champion Williams. Ainslie never likes losing, but he had no answer to a very polished performance.

Williams and his Team GAC Pindar coolly and clinically led from start to finish as they opened the second day of round robin racing in the Argo Group Gold Cup grand prix in Bermuda.

This is the fifth of six regattas which make up the Alpari World Match Racing Championship and Williams, chasing a fifth world title, is currently leading.

The Ben Ainslie Racing Team (BART) tactician Iain Percy said: “We had a terrible start and did the best we could from there.” The best still added up to a 20-second deficit over the course on Hamilton Harbour, Ainslie adding: “It was a little bit dull and boring. Ian and his team are very experienced and they sailed a good race.”

Williams sailed three more good races to end the day with an 8-0 tally, Ainslie won his remaining two round robin races to chalk up a 6-1 score and both seem set fair for places in the quarter final on Friday.