Ian Williams set to compete in 1O1O 4G Match Racing in Hong Kong
by RHKYC Media 19 Apr 2013 08:09 BST
10-12 May 2013
The 1O1O 4G Match Racing will take place in Hong Kong on 10-12 May 2013 © Richard Knight / RHKYC
The resurgent match racing scene in Hong Kong goes from strength to strength with this year's 1O1O 4G Match Racing International Regatta, organised by Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC), attracting a clutch of top match racers from around the world.
Quadruple world champion Ian Williams (GBR) will be joined in Victoria Harbour by fifth ranked William Tiller (NZL) and David Gilmour, representing Australia. Last year's runner-up, Vladimir Lipavsky (RUS) will be back for another crack at the title, along with Morten Jakobs, representing Thailand. Maximilian Soh (SIN) and Jon Eriksson (FIN) will compete in International Regatta for the first time, bringing the overseas visitors to seven. One wild card entry is still available.
These luminaries will be joined by Hong Kong's top four match racing teams, based on the previous weekend's 1O1O 4G Match Racing Hong Kong Nationals, also organised by RHKYC.
Match racing is a brutal one-on-one sailing contest where the rules aren't used to keep boats apart, instead being used to try and inflict a penalty turn on the opposition. Winning margins are slim and the skills required include a keen knowledge of the racing rules, lightning fast reflexes and nerves of steel as the leader fights with attack after attack from the boat behind. The regatta will pit competitors against each other in a double round robin format, with the top four teams progressing to the knockout stages. The semi-finals will serve to produce the two teams which will contest the grand final.
Competitors: (with world ranking and nationality)
1. Ian Williams (1) GBR
2. William Tiller (5) NZL
3. David Gilmour (27) AUS
4. Vladimir Lipavsky (30) RUS
5. Morten Jakobs (117) THA
6. Maximilian Soh (148) SIN
7. Jon Eriksson (157) FIN
8. TBC
9. 2013 1O1O 4G Hong Kong Nationals 1st
10. 2013 1O1O 4G Hong Kong Nationals 2nd
11. 2013 1O1O 4G Hong Kong Nationals 3rd
12. 2013 1O1O 4G Hong Kong Nationals 4th
Officials
Chief International Umpire Marianne Middelthon (NOR)
International Umpire Paco Quiñonero (ESP)
International Umpire Masaaki Tanaka (JPN)
Race Officer Inge Strompf-Jepsen (HKG)