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Ian Williams wins the regatta,
in Marseille, and becomes number one in the ISAF
world match race ranking list.
The wind really came in for the final stage of the
Marseille International Match Race (windspeed between
15 and 22 knots). An amazing show, with overwhelming
sensations in Marseille’s Southern bay.
After yesterday’s racing, Ian Williams (GBR) was
ahead of Evgeny Neugodnikov (RUS) by two matches.
Straight off, the Englishman beat the Russian to
win his ticket for the final.
In the second semifinal, which was 100% French,
Pierre-Antoine Morvan was ahead of Mathieu Richard
2/1.
During their first match, Pierre Antoine Morvan,
who was ahead at the windward mark, pushed Richard
who hit the Committee boat : the damage to Mathieu
Richard’s boat meant that sailing was stopped for
a significant time. The international jury met and
decided to award the point for the match to Mathieu
Richard.
The final match between the two Frenchmen was probably
the most closely fought of all, but in the final
leg Pierre Antoine Morvan literally demolished Mathieu
Richard.
The final was played in a first to two victories.
Ian Williams won the first match easily. The second
was much more difficult, with both crews pushed
to the limits to be the first to cross the finish
line.
In the end, Pierre Antoine Morvan’s technical problem
Ian Williams the victory which puts him at the very
top of the ISAF match race ranking list.
Finals
Ian Williams def. Pierre-Antoine Morvan (2/0)
Evgeny Neugodnikov def. Mathieu Richard
Semifinales
Ian Williams def.Evgeny Neugodnikov (3/0)
Pierre-Antoine Morvan def. Mathieu Richard (3/1)
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