Ian Williams and GAC Pindar bid for third Congressional Cup victory
by Kate Brewer 10 Apr 2014 08:27 BST
5-13 April 2014
Ian Williams at the Korea Match Cup © Gareth Cooke / Subzero Images
Leading British sailor Ian Williams and his GAC Pindar crew head to Long Beach Yacht Club this week for the 50th Anniversary of the prestigious Congressional Cup Match Racing event. Williams, a four-time World Match Racing Champion, will be aiming to secure his third victory at the event, having won in 2011 and 2012.
The Congressional Cup is the longest running Match Race in a one design boat and the only Grade 1 event run entirely by volunteers. This year, an international line up of ten leading skippers from eight countries will compete on identical Catalina 37s. Williams will compete for the coveted 'Crimson Blazer' against five other former winners, including defending Champion Simone Ferrarese, Johnnie Berntsson, Francesco Bruni, Dave Perry and Mathieu Richard.
Racing began on Monday, although Williams, as a previous winner of the Congressional Cup, will automatically progress to Stage Two of the competition, and begin competing on Wednesday. The final will take place on Sunday 13 April.
Speaking ahead of the event, Williams, who will be looking to secure an unprecedented fifth ALPARI World Match Racing Tour title in 2014 said: "The Congressional Cup is a highly regarded event with a long history and I am looking forward to getting back on the water and racing again in my first major competition of the year. I am hoping to kick start our 2014 season with a good result in Long Beach, but will no doubt face some tough competition from a truly world-class line up of skippers."
Following the Congressional Cup, Williams and his GAC Pindar crew will prepare for the first event on the ALPARI World Match Racing Tour, Match Race Germany from 5-9 June.
www.thecongressionalcup.com