Please select your home edition
Edition
Savvy Navvy 2024

World Match Racing Tour Shenzhen Bao'an Final 2024, Overall

by WMRT 16 Dec 06:52 UTC 10-15 December 2024
World Match Racing Tour Shenzhen Bao'an Final 2024 © Ian Roman / WMRT

The 2024 World Match Racing Tour Shenzhen Bao'an Final concluded, where Britain's Ian Williams Pindar by Manuport Logistics team of Jon Gundersen, Richard Sydenham, and Gerry Mitchell claimed their record-breaking eighth Match Racing World Championship title after a dramatic showdown against New Zealand's Nick Egnot-Johnson KNOTS Racing.

Both Williams and Egnot-Johnson, former Match Racing World Champions, showed that experience prevails as they advanced to the final after overcoming their French competitors in tightly contested semi-finals.

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.

"It's a great feeling to get that eighth title. Nick Egnot-Johnson and his team are really tough competitors, we had to up our game at the end to beat them," said Williams. "Crossing the line and thinking you've won, then trying to get yourself back up for another race is actually a huge challenge. Maybe that's where the experience counts. We knew we could do it, and I think that was the best race we had in the final."

"We've never done a three-peat before, so I guess that'll be the next challenge," hinted Williams.

"Sailing against Ian is always an honor," reflected Egnot-Johnson. "Growing up and learning how to match race, we would watch him on YouTube. So, to push him in a final to six races in a world championship...we're all very happy with that."

The petit-final was an all-French affair, with Aurélien Pierroz's Match Again by Normandy Elite Team and Ian Garreta battling for the final podium position, both competing in their first World Match Racing Tour Final.

Garreta, who had won the round robin stage, faced Pierroz, who won the repechage stage. Pierroz claimed victory in the first race, while Garreta appeared poised to take the second. However, Garreta was unable to clear a penalty at the finish, allowing Pierroz to cross the line first and secure third place overall.

"It was really close racing, in the second prestart, we were able to give him a penalty," Pierroz explained. "So, we just stayed close behind him the whole race. When he went to do his penalty at the finish line, he didn't do it properly, so we were able to pass him and finish third at the World Match Racing Tour Final...we are pretty happy about that!"

Shenzhen's conditions tested the skill and adaptability of the world's best match racers. Spectators gathered at the event village to watch the action, as the venue once again proved itself as a premier destination for match racing.

With this event, the World Match Racing Tour wraps up another successful season, celebrating world-class match racing and crowning a champion who has once again raised the bar in the sport.

Related Articles

Some fish and crab may shift further north
New regional models are being developed for the Bering Sea to better anticipate climate change The eastern Bering Sea is a highly productive marine ecosystem, supporting more than 40 percent of the annual commercial fisheries landings by volume in the United States. Posted on 21 Dec
How the 2024 hurricane season impacted fishing
Learn how business owners, marine ecosystems, and recreational fishing seasons were affected The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially ended on November 30, showcased above-average activity. It had a profound impact on recreational fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, causing recreational fishers to face challenges and interim closures. Posted on 20 Dec
"Sober Skipper™ Why It Matters" video series
Featuring a diverse group of boating influencers The Sea Tow Foundation™, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting boating safety, is excited to launch its new video series titled "Sober Skipper™: Why It Matters." Posted on 14 Dec
Preferred line choice for pitching and flipping
When it comes to fishing line, the right choice can make all the difference When it comes to fishing line, the right choice can make all the difference in performance and your ability to put fish in the boat. Posted on 13 Dec
DAIWA: New TATULA now available
New versatile TATULA SV100 – with the SV BOOST System DAIWA's new versatile TATULA SV100 – with the SV BOOST System – is now available at dealers nationwide. Posted on 13 Dec
Freedom Boat Club teams up with Savvy Navvy
One of the Club's largest franchise groups in the US loves this navigation app Freedom Boat Club Delaware, part of one of the largest boat club communities in the US, has teamed up with Savvy Navvy to bring easier and safer navigation to more boaters. Here they reflect on how it has helped their boat club members. Posted on 13 Dec
IGFA Walker's Cay Shootout 2025
Inaugural billfish tournament combines competitive sportfishing and conservation in the Bahamas The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) and Walker's Cay are proud to announce the inaugural IGFA Walker's Cay Shootout, taking place April 23-26, 2025, in the breathtaking waters of Walker's Cay, Bahamas. Posted on 12 Dec
47 Molokai Engine Package
Mercury 600hp Verado Outboards Unleash precision and power on the 47 Molokai with an upgraded engine package: twin Mercury Verado V12 600hp outboards. Posted on 12 Dec
Marine Auctions December Online Auction
Bidding to open Friday 13th and will close Thursday, 19th December 2024 at 2pm AEST Bidding to open Friday 13th and will close Thursday, 19th December 2024 at 2pm AEST. Posted on 9 Dec
Climate, Ecosystems, and Fisheries
Climate change is impacting the nation's valuable marine and Great Lakes ecosystems The NOAA Climate, Ecosystems, and Fisheries Initiative (CEFI) is an effort to provide decision-makers with the information they need to prepare for and adapt to changing oceans and climate. Posted on 7 Dec
Savvy Navvy 2024Maritimo 2023 S600 FOOTER