Williams heads into Monsoon with six point lead
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Britain’s Ian Williams goes to the World Match Race Tour showdown in Malaysia next month with a slender lead over Italian rival Francesco Bruni.
He holds a six-point advantage ahead of the Monsoon Cup, which scores points and a half and is often staged, as the name implies, in driving rain.
The two-time former world champion was beaten by New Zealand ’s Phil Robertson in the quarter final of the Bermuda Gold Cup, staged in the venerated International One Designs. Winner in the beautiful Caribbean harbour was Australia ’s Torvar Mirsky by 3-2 over Sweden ’s Johnie Berntsson, who picked up enough penalties to guarantee selection for the England rugby team.
Third place for Bruni, who was the early leader in the 2011 series, left him still playing catch-up and Williams will be able to discard his disappointing Bermuda score in a series which counts only the five best results.
In a trial run for the Volvo Ocean Race boats, the Spanish entry Telefonica took first place as skipper Iker Martinez correctly picked a better weather pattern to the south of Ibiza on the way back to Alicante .
He was followed by Kenny Read of America in Puma and former winner Mike Sanderson in Martinez ’ old boat, now renamed Sanya, which carried the Chinese flag.
The three previous leaders, Ian Walker in Abu Dhabi , Chris Nicholson’s Kiwi team in Camper, and France ’s Franck Cammas in Groupama were left floundering in no wind north of Ibiza .
Showing their paces off La Trinité, north-west France , were three of the new One Design 70-foot trimarans, which, with three still being built, make their race debut in a transatlantic dash next year ahead of themselves staging a round-the-world race with stopovers as well as a European circuit.
In Sardinia, the American TP52 Quantum, skippered by Ed Baird with British Olympian Adrian Stead as tactician, added the class world championship to the Audi MedCup crown won in Barcelona last month.
The Endeavour Championship for class champions was won on the River Crouch by Nick Craig and Toby Lewis.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments