Ian WILLIAMS (GBR) has scored his second ISAF Grade 1 event victory in five weeks after defeating Eugeniy NEUGODNIKOV (RUS) 3-2 in a tight final at the Sopot Match Race in Poland. A third victory of the year for WILLIAMS is the perfect buildup for the Brit as he heads to Calpe, Spain and the ISAF Match Racing World Championship which begins a week today.
NEUGODNIKOV will join
WILLIAMS at the ISAF Worlds in Spain after another impressive display. However the Russian once again came unstuck against
WILLIAMS in a repeat of the final at the ISAF Grade 1 Internationaux de France de Match Racing in Pornichet, France at the beginning of August.
In a topsy-turvy contest NEUGODNIKOV took the opening match before the Brit fought back to claim the next two. NEUGODNIKOV won race four the take the title to a deciding match which WILLIAMS won to secure victory.
In the petit final Stefan MEISTER (GER) defeated Laurie JURY (NZL) 2-1 to take third place.
Results
Final
Ian WILLIAMS (GBR) d. Eugeniy NEUGODNIKOV (RUS), 3-2
Petit Final
Stefan MEISTER (GER) d. Laurie JURY (NZL), 2-1
Semi Finals
Ian WILLIAMS (GBR) d. Laurie JURY (NZL), 3-2
Eugeniy NEUGODNIKOV (RUS) d. Stefan MEISTER (GER), 3-2
Sopot Match Race Final Standings
1. Ian WILLIAMS (GBR)
2. Eugeniy NEUGODNIKOV (RUS)
3. Stefan MEISTER (GER)
4. Laurie JURY (NZL)
5. Andrew ARBUZOV (RUS)
6. Simon MINOPRIO (NZL)
7. Przemek TARNACKI (POL)
8. Philipp KADELBACH (GER)
9. Daniel GLOMB (BRA)
10. Marek STANCZYK (POL)
ISAF. Image, Action from yesterday:© Event Media