GAC Yacht Team Wins in France, Now Faces Bermuda Challenge

GAC Pindar skipper Ian Williams & team arrive for the Argo Group Gold Cup after winning in Match Race France.

After a spectacular conclusion to the Match Race France last weekend, which saw the GAC Pindar skipper battle the elements against young Kiwi William Tiller (Full Metal Jacket Racing), Williams and his winning crew were in high spirits as they landed on the island of Bermuda.

The Argo Group Gold Cup is the world’s oldest Match Racing event involving International one-design yachts. It takes place in the picturesque Hamilton Harbour, where the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club is playing host to 20 teams, including the top eight skippers on the World Tour, each striving to lift the 105 year-old King Edward VII Gold Cup and claim a share of the $100,000 prize fund.

Williams won his first ever tour competition in Bermuda in 2006 and, after his stunning performance in France last week, it is possible that he could make it two wins in a row. In the line-up with him are former winners including Johnnie Berntsson (Berntsson Sailing Team), Mathieu Richard (French Match Racing Team), and Peter Gilmour (Yanmar Racing). All eyes, however, are on the two front-runners, current leader of the pack Ian Williams (GAC Pindar) and Bjorn Hansen (Mekonomen Sailing Team) who is snapping at his heels.

Williams says: “It’s great to have won Match Race France on Saturday as it means the pressure is slightly off us for the Argo Gold Cup. We’re going to enjoy the sailing this week but we will still be giving it our absolute all. It’s shaping up to be a very exciting finale and a lot rests on what happens in these next two events. Racing in Hamilton Harbour is always special - it’s great to be back.”

(GAC Shipping is one of the world’s biggest providers of services to ship owners and operators.)