Ian Williams and his Pindar by Manuport Logistics team of Jon Gundersen, Richard Sydenham, and Gerry Mitchell are crowned 2024 Match Racing World Champions.
Williams is now an eight-time match racing world champion after beating New Zealand’s Egnot-Johnson in a dramatic final that went to six races.
The final series was a first-to-three format, and Egnot-Johnson took an early lead, securing the first race against Williams. However, the British sailor responded with back-to-back victories, putting himself one race away from the title. Egnot-Johnson kept his hopes alive by winning the fourth race, setting the stage for a decisive fifth race.
In the fifth race, a dramatic windward mark rounding led to contact between the two boats. Williams was penalized but cleared it during the downwind leg, as Egnot-Johnson also incurred a penalty. Williams crossed the finish line first, appearing to secure his third win and the title.
However, a post-race hearing penalized Williams 0.75 points for damage caused at the windward mark, leaving him at 2.25 points and requiring a sixth race.
Williams dominated the final race, crossing the finish line ahead of Egnot-Johnson to secure his historic eighth Match Racing World Championship.
The 2024 World Match Racing Tour Shenzhen Bao’an Final completed Sunday 15 December.
