Ian Williams won a record-equalling fourth ISAF Match Racing World Championship today after beating his arch rival Bjorn Hansen in the Quarter- Final of the Monsoon Cup, the finale of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour.

Bjorn Hansen and Phil Robertson endured tough starts to their bids for Monsoon Cup glory this week but fought back strongly today in the third Qualifying Session. Hansen has kept his World Championship quest alive by Qualifying for the knock-out stages while Robertson posted three wins from three today to leave himself on the cusp of a Quarter Final berth at the finale of the 2012 Alpari World Match Racing Tour.

Record four-time ISAF Match Racing World Champion and multiple America's Cup campaigner, Peter Gilmour today announced his retirement from the Alpari World Match Racing Tour and professional match racing on the second day of racing at the Monsoon Cup. Gilmour will bow out after the event concludes this Saturday 8 December.

As the first day of sailing at the much-anticipated Monsoon Cup got underway today, Taylor Canfield enjoyed a strong start and reaffirmed his credentials as a future Tour Card Holder with two wins from two in Qualifying Session 1.

After three days of meetings, the ISAF Annual Conference drew to a close today as the final decisions affecting the sport moving forward were made.

In one month, the world's top match racers will arrive in Malaysia for the final event of the 2012 Alpari World Match Racing Tour season. Whilst Bjorn Hansen and Ian Williams are touted as the most likely winners of this year's title, the stats suggest that the Monsoon Cup could well provide a twist in the tale of the season.

Reigning ISAF Match Racing World Champion Ian Williams overcame a spirited performance by young Kiwi William Tiller and torrential conditions to win the Final of Match Race France. It was Williams' fourth podium finish in five events this season which propels his GAC Pindar team to the top of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour (AWMRT) standings as the Tour heads into its penultimate event next week.

After his progression through Qualifying at Match Race France went down to the wire, Ian Williams returned to form in his Quarter Final today as the challenge ended for home favourites Damien Iehl and Pierre-Antoine Morvan of France.

A disappointing exit for Bjorn Hansen at the Qualifying stage of Match Race France has reignited the race for the 2012 Alpari World Match Racing Tour (AWMRT) title.

Strong offshore winds made for exciting sailing conditions on the first day of Qualifying at Match Race France, where Peter Gilmour got off to a flying start for the sixth stage of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour (AWMRT).

Reigning Tour Champion Ian Williams was today crowned the 2012 Chicago Match Cup winner after a 3-0 battle against Australian youngster Jordan Reece, which also closed the gap on Bjorn Hansen at the top of Alpari World Match Racing Tour leaderboard, the Swede having won the day's Petit Final to take third.

Jordan Reece, Phil Robertson, Johnie Berntsson and local skipper Sally Barkow have joined yesterday's top four qualifiers in the Chicago Match Cup Quarter Final after a dramatic day's Repechage round that was punctuated by thunderstorms on Lake Michigan at the fourth stage of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour.

Bjorn Hansen finished the day unbeaten to top the qualifying table of the Chicago Match Cup, and will be joined by reigning Tour Champion Ian Williams, Pierre-Antoine Morvan and local favourite Taylor Canfield who narrowly squeezed into the Quarter Final after a count back between five teams.

Keith Swinton got off to a fantastic start on the first day of the Chicago Match Cup today, taking six wins with just one defeat at the fourth stage of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour, which runs 10 - 15 July.

The Alpari World Match Racing Tour takes to the water (Practice day) on Lake Michigan tomorrow as Chicago Match Cup, the newest event on the world's premier sailing series, welcomes the sport's top talents to the fourth stage of the season, running from 10 - 15 July.

Swedish number one Bjorn Hansen saw off a spirited challenge from Tour legend and four-time World Champion Peter Gilmour to lift the STENA Match Cup Sweden trophy and retain his lead at the top of the Alpari World Match Racing Tour leaderboard.