Scroll

03 Sep 2015

GAC Pindar and Ian Williams to join the M32 Series

Ian Williams GAC PindarGAC Pindar and five-times World Match Racing Champion, Ian Williams have announced their entry into the remainder of this year’s M32 Scandinavia series. Ian Williams will compete in the M32s in parallel with his bid to win his sixth World Match Racing title, in order to gain more competitive experience of multihull racing ahead of the new look 2016 World Match Racing Tour. He currently sits at the top of the 2015 World Match Racing Tour leader-board.

Following the announcement of Aston Harald AB’s acquisition of the ISAF-accredited World Match Racing Tour in June, there has been a shift in emphasis towards M32 multihull boats for next year’s championship. The Stena Match Cup has already announced that it will be raced in new M32 multihulls and James Pleasance, Executive Director of the World Match Racing Tour, has made clear his ambition to extend use of M32s more widely across the series.

The M32 Scandinavia series is already well underway, with Williams joining the fourth leg in Helsinki (3-6 September). To prepare for their mid-season entry into the competition, Williams and his newly-formed crew have spent time in Helsinki training with the coaches from the Cape Crow Academy.

Williams is not afraid to throw himself in the deep end. He said: "I’m really excited to get started in the M32s. I expect the level of racing to be high. I’m starting late, so I’ll have my work cut out to get quickly up to speed. I’ve got plenty of experience racing X40s in the Extreme Sailing Series but these smaller boats pose a different set of challenges. The boats are relatively simple to set up, but in high speeds small alterations to the set-up make huge differences. That’s why time with the coaches has been invaluable. We now can’t wait to go racing."

Christer Sjödoff, GAC Group Vice President, Commercial said: "We at GAC are a longstanding and keen supporter for Ian. Not only are we inspired by his positivity and adaptability, Ian’s continued success in the sailing arena has helped shape GAC’s reputation as a reliable provider of sailing regatta logistics services amongst teams and event organisers alike."

Andrew Pindar, GAC Pindar Team Principal commented: "We’re absolutely thrilled to support Ian in his efforts to retain his position at the pinnacle of world match racing through this period of change. You do not become five-times world champion by accident and this moves demonstrates his determination not to stop there.

"The M32 Series is the latest exciting addition to GAC Pindar’s sailing programme. We’re fresh off the back of fulfilling the logistics for the Volvo Ocean Race and earlier this year the ISAF World Cup, Ian Williams currently sits on top of the World Match Racing Tour and our Extreme Sailing Series team are putting in their strongest performances to date. It is an incredibly exciting time for us."

For more information about the M32 Scandinavia Series go to:
http://m32series.com/

For more information about GAC Pindar go to:
www.gacpindar.com
www.facebook.com/teamgacpindar
www.facebook.com/gacsport
www.twitter.com/gacpindar
www.twitter.com/gacsport

More News

31 Mar 2025

Southampton, United Kingdom

GAC named Official Logistics Partner for The Ocean Race
For an unprecedented fourth time in a row, GAC will be The Ocean Race’s Official Logistics Partner, extending a successful collaboration that has been in place since 2014.
Read More

25 Mar 2025

Bergen, Norway

GAC Norway expands cruise support with shore excursions
GAC Norway has launched a new shore excursion service in key cruise destinations to provide passengers with authentic experiences in a responsible and competitively priced way.
Read More

05 Mar 2025

Dubai, UAE

GAC Dubai bags multiple industry awards for Contract Logistics
GAC Dubai’s Contract Logistics division has been recognised with multiple awards, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction and sustainability.
Read More