Chris Dickson pipped Magnus Holmberg within yards of the finish line to win the $100,000 Portugal Match Cup, Stage 1 of the 2005-’06 World Match Racing Tour.

Shifty conditions with gusty 10- to 15-knot winds were challenging for the finalists. Dickson streaked to a 2-0 lead before Holmberg battled back to even the score 2-2, setting up a one race, winner-take-all finale.

In a race with two lead changes, a penalty and slick boathandling, Dickson won by less than half a boatlength. He won $35,000 in prize money and is the early leader in the World Championship standings.

Dickson, who finished the regatta with a record of 13-4, holds the early lead in the 2006-’07 World Championship. He has 25 points and Holmberg 20 points.

Reigning Tour champion Peter Gilmour (AUS) won the Petite Final by 2-1 over Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN, Mascalzone Latino –Capitalia Team), which placed fourth.

Finals Results

Flight 1 : Chris Dickson def. Magnus Holmberg - Peter Gilmour def. Jes Gram-Hansen

Flight 2 : Chris Dickson def. Magnus Holmberg - Peter Gilmour def. Jes Gram-Hansen

Flight 3 : Magnus Holmberg def. Chris Dickson

Flight 4 : Magnus Holmberg def. Chris Dickson

Flight 5 : Chris Dickson def. Magnus Holmberg