Malaysia - Part drag race, part chess game. For many in the sailing world, match racing defines the ultimate test of a skipper and crew. Unfortunately, the America's Cup is what many people think of when you say "match race," and the atrocity that the Cup has become leaves a bitter taste. The point of match racing should be that you can't buy (or for that matter bend rules, or sue, or whine, or write "open pleas," or point fingers, or cajole) your way to an advantage. Match racing is (and should be) simply about skill.

 

As is our custom here at YachtPals, we don't pretend to be experts in all areas. Instead, we rely on our friends for that - our Yacht Pals. So, when it comes to solo ocean racing, we turn to solo ocean racers. When it comes to record-breaking, we turn to record-breakers. And when it came time for us to delve into the world of match racing, we turned to Ian Williams, number one ISAF rated match racer - the very best in the world.

 

Ian is in Malaysia, defending his title at the 2008 Monsoon Cup, the last and most important stop on the 2008 World Match Racing Tour. Like Brian Thompson, he sails for Bahrain Team Pindar. Unlike Brian, he doesn't get a flashy new IMOCA 60 sailboat of his own. In this tour, you get what you're given, and that's all part of the game, as Ian told us when he spoke with YachtPals on Tuesday.

 

 

YP: You're leading in the World Match Racing Tour - again! Congratulations! So, we figure you're the best person in the world to tell our readers about match racing. For the people out there who might only be familiar with regattas, and don't know much about match racing, can you sum up the differences?

 

Ian: There are a few big differences I suppose. The first is [in the World Match Racing Tour], we're always sailing supplied boats, and we're always sailing different types of boats all around the world. Over nine regattas, we sail seven different types of boat. So the skill really is being able to jump into a boat that you are unfamiliar with, and try and make it go in the shortest space of time as possible. And of course, we swap boats during a regatta - we don't get provided one boat for the whole regatta even. As you know, boats do vary a bit from boat to boat, so there's slightly different settings on each boat you get in. It's very much the skill of being able to get into any boat that you get provided with, and handling it well, and making it go fast. So, I think that's one of the big things on the tour.

The other is, obviously, there are only two boats sailing [in each race], and it's umpired racing - so the racing is a little bit more... aggressive. At the same time, it really is very much about boat speed skills, and acceleration out of tacks - a lot of maneuvers. It's about doing them very smoothly, and very well, and that puts pressure on your position.

Then there's the scoring. In the [World Match Racing] tour we have 9 regattas throughout the year. It's a little bit like the Formula 1 [auto racing] in terms of the scoring. We score points at each regatta we do. So, if we win a regatta we get 25 points, second gets 20, third gets 15, and then on from that.

This is the last one, now, in Malaysia [Monsoon Cup]. This is a sort of ramp up event, to the extent that we count our best first five out of the first eight events - you don't have to do all the regattas to be in with a shot at winning. So, we count the best five from the first eight, but have to count this regatta - and it also counts one and a half times points. So this is really the BIG regatta, and it is really very much down to this one, and who performs well at this regatta that will win the world championship.

 

 

 

YP: So then, being supplied boats, and switching those boats in the middle of the regatta, are attempts to eliminate any equipment advantages, and focus only on the sailors' skills. In other words, the sailor with less or little money can win against the guy with big sponsorship dollars. Is this what appeals to you about Match Racing?

 

 

Ian: It is certainly one of the appeals. It is very much how you perform on the day. An event like the Vendee Globe, America's Cup, Volvo Race, whatever it is, even the Olympics to an extent, a lot of those regattas are won in the preparation: How you turn up, and how you prepared your own equipment for that event. Where as in Match Racing it really is down to how you sail on the day, it is not possible to have any equipment advantage. What that means is: It is a great opportunity for the young people, the young guys in the sport, and also the people who are not quite so well funded to come in and have a go at some of the bigger names [like Ben Ainslie].

So, for sure. When I was sort of "the Nipper" [laughing], the young guy, coming into the sport, it was great to be able to go up against people like Russell Coutts, Peter Gilmour, Ed Baird, and take them on. And if in a situation where you and your team felt better than them, you would beat them. Which was a FANTASTIC situation to be in!

Um, I have to say, in some ways it's a bit tougher when you are the - sort of - world champion, and everybody is going for you! [laughing] Because you also don't get the breaks. The young guys who come in, on any given day, you know, if they sail better than you, then they will beat you. Which means you just really, really need to keep on top of your game, keep sharp all the time.

 

 

 

YP: The umpires on the water during each race. Can you explain how that works?

Ian: All our part two rules - all the sort of right-of-way rules - are adjudicated by umpires while we are racing. There are two reasons for that. Firstly, it makes for better racing. But secondly, from a spectator point of view [...] it is much clearer. The point is, whoever crosses the line first wins the race. There is no waiting around for decisions or anything like that.

 

YP: How's the competition there in Malaysia. Are you worried about Sebastien Col [currently second overall in the World Match Racing Tour and sailing at the Monsoon Cup]?

Ian: You know... I think it is anybody's game really. Nobody has really been consistent on the tour this year. So... [laughing] It is a big showdown with Sebastien, also Mathieu Richard has got a good shot of it as well. So, I think it is anybody's game.

It's all about getting going, and getting through each round. I guess that's the other point that is different about Match Racing. It is all about getting into the next round. As opposed to a series of races where your results over the series count towards your final result, in Match Racing it is very much: If you get into the next round, you live to fight another day. After the round robin, all the scores go back to zero basically.

 

YP: You're sailing with a crew of five at the Monsoon Cup?

Ian: Yes. So, this regatta we have five, most of the regattas we have five, but in St. Moritz and Bermuda we sailed with four.

 

 

YP: Do you always sail with the same crew?

Ian: Generally. You try and keep as much consistency as possible, because the teamwork is absolutely key in the way we sail the boat.

YP: The boats for the World Match Racing Tour are all different, but aren't they all about the same size?

Ian: Generally they are in the 35 to 40 foot bracket. Although the boats in St. Moritz are a little bit smaller, I think they are about 26 foot.

 

YP: You know this question was coming: What is it you love about sailing?

Ian: What is great about sailing is: There is a constant challenge - there is always something new to learn. If at any point you think you have cracked it, then it comes back to bite you. [laughing]

It is the constant learning, the constant improvement that you can make. You know, I guess as you get a little bit older, and your sort of physical strength [laughing] starts to go a little bit, you can still be improving at that point. And for me, I really enjoy sports where I can get better. At the point where you are not getting better, they get perhaps a little bit less interesting. But in sailing, you can always be improving.

YP: Ha! I love it, Ian: "As you get older." Aren't you 31?

Ian: Yeah, that's right. [laughing] But I mean, if you look at most professional sports, at 31 you would be towards the end of your career, where obviously in sailing it is very much at the start of it.

 

 

- Kim Hampton exclusively for YachtPals.com

 

2008 World Match Racing Championships OVERALL STANDINGS - Top 8

Skipper - Team - Points

1. Ian WILLIAMS - Bahrain Team Pindar - 92
2. Sebastien Col - French Team/K-Challenge - 88
3. Mathieu RICHARD - French Team/Team French Spirit - 77
4. Adam Minoprio - ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing - 53
5. Torvar MIRSKY - Mirsky Racing Team - 53
6. Magnus Holmberg - Victory Challenge - 51
7. Mattias Rahm - Stena Bulk - 46
8. Paolo CIAN - Team Shosholoza - 43

 

 

 

MONSOON CUP Results & Match Racing Schedule

(winners in BOLD for the first day of racing)

FLIGHT 1
M1 Peter Gilmour v Nurul Ain
M2 Keith Swinton v Mathieu Richard
M3 Paolo Cian v Magnus Holmberg
M4 Sebastien Col v Ben Ainslie

FLIGHT 2
M1 Magnus Holmberg v Keith Swinton
M2 Mathieu Richard v Paolo Cian
M3 Johnie Berntsson v Sebastien Col
M4 Torvar Mirsky v Ben Ainslie

FLIGHT 3
M1 Ben Ainslie v Johnie Berntsson
M2 Mathieu Richard v Torvar Mirsky
M3 Sebastien Col v Adam Minoprio
M4 Paolo Cian v Ian Williams

FLIGHT 4
M1 Sebastien Col v Mathieu Richard
M2 Paolo Cian v Adam Minoprio
M3 Nurul Ain v Torvar Mirsky
M4 Ian Williams v Peter Gilmour

FLIGHT 5
M1 Torvar Mirsky v Paolo Cian
M2 Ian Williams v Nurul Ain
M3 Peter Gilmour v Magnus Holmberg
M4 Adam Minoprio v Keith Swinton

FLIGHT 6
M1 Magnus Holmberg v Ian Williams
M2 Adam Minoprio v Peter Gilmour
M3 Keith Swinton v Ben Ainslie
M4 Nurul Ain v Johnie Berntsson

FLIGHT 7
M1 Ben Ainslie v Adam Minoprio
M2 Johnie Berntsson v Peter Gilmour
M3 Keith Swinton v Sebastien Col
M4 Nurul Ain v Mathieu Richard

FLIGHT 8
M1 Nurul Ain v Sebastien Col
M2 Mathieu Richard v Johnie Berntsson
M3 Peter Gilmour v Paolo Cian
M4 Keith Swinton v Torvar Mirsky

FLIGHT 9
M1 Peter Gilmour v Mathieu Richard
M2 Johnie Berntsson v Paolo Cian
M3 Keith Swinton v Ian Williams
M4 Torvar Mirsky v Magnus Holmberg

FLIGHT 10
M1 Paolo Cian v Keith Swinton
M2 Magnus Holmberg v Johnie Berntsson
M3 Adam Minoprio v Torvar Mirsky
M4 Ben Ainslie v Ian Williams

FLIGHT 11
M1 Johnie Berntsson v Torvar Mirsky
M2 Ian Williams v Adam Minoprio
M3 Sebastien Col v Magnus Holmberg
M4 Nurul Ain v Ben Ainslie

FLIGHT 12
M1 Ian Williams v Sebastien Col
M2 Adam Minoprio v Nurul Ain
M3 Magnus Holmberg v Mathieu Richard
M4 Ben Ainslie v Peter Gilmour

FLIGHT 13
M1 Mathieu Richard v Adam Minoprio
M2 Magnus Holmberg v Nurul Ain
M3 Paolo Cian v Ben Ainslie
M4 Peter Gilmour v Keith Swinton

FLIGHT 14
M1 Ben Ainslie v Magnus Holmberg
M2 Nurul Ain v Paolo Cian
M3 Johnie Berntsson v Keith Swinton
M4 Torvar Mirsky v Peter Gilmour

FLIGHT 15
M1 Keith Swinton v Nurul Ain
M2 Sebastien Col v Peter Gilmour
M3 Ian Williams v Torvar Mirsky

FLIGHT 16
M1 Paolo Cian v Sebastien Col
M2 Mathieu Richard v Ian Williams
M3 Adam Minoprio v Johnie Berntsson

FLIGHT 17
M1 Johnie Berntsson v Ian Williams
M2 Torvar Mirsky v Sebastien Col
M3 Magnus Holmberg v Adam Minorpio
M4 Ben Ainslie v Mathieu Richard

 

Sailing Video 1: World Match Racing Tour

Sailing Video 2: World Match Racing Tour Finals - The Monsoon Cup Starts in Malaysia

Submitted By YachtPals on 04 Dec

Match Racing, Ian Williams, Pindar, Malaysia, Bahrain Team Pindar, World Match Racing Tour, Monsoon Cup