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CIAN and Sebastien COL (FRA) had already won through their quarter final matches on Saturday. This left the two matches tied at 2-2, between Ian WILLIAMS (GBR) and HANSEN and favourite and defending champion, James SPITHILL (AUS) and Sten MOHR (DEN).

As number 15 in the ISAF World Match Race Rankings, HANSEN knows that a good result in Italy combined with a similar good performance in the ISAF Grade 1 Swedish Match Cup starting today, could see him rise into the top eleven of the Rankings when they are next released on 13 July. This would see him gain an invite to the ISAF Match Racing World Championship being held in Calpe, Spain from 12-17 September along with the defending champion Ed BAIRD (USA) and the other nine sailors who make up the top eleven places of the Rankings. The twelfth competitor for the ISAF Worlds will be selected by the host club, Club Náutico de Calpe and the Real Federación Española de Vela.

Ian WILLIAMS' competition came to an end in the quarter finals © Event Media

For the round robin winner, WILLIAMS, at number eight in the Rankings, the pressure is also on to hang on to his position and secure an invite for the ISAF Worlds. However yesterday HANSEN came out on top, winning the last match between the pair to take the quarter final 3-2. In the other remaining quarter final match SPITHILL got the better of MOHR to take his place in the semi final.

The best of three semi final matches saw SPITHILL face CIAN and HANSEN line up against COL. Both matches went down to the wire but eventually it was the Italian and the Swede who won out to put themselves into the final.

With winds varying between light and nothing, the final and petit final were both reduced to a single match, meaning there was absolutely no room for error. Number four in the Rankings, SPITHILL defeated number seven COL, to claim third position. A fourth place finish for COL looks likely to ensure he receives an invite to the ISAF Worlds in Calpe, although there are still the results from the upcoming Swedish Match Cup to take into account.

CIAN is not due to race in Sweden but his victory over HANSEN will ease his fears about his position in the next release of the Rankings. The Italian commented, "I want to thank all my crew and Committee and PRO Matteo PLAZZI for the great job in difficult conditions. It's a big honour to win this Trophy for the first time."

A second place for HANSEN is a boost to his chances of securing an invite to the ISAF Worlds, and he will be looking for a similar performance at the Swedish Match Cup on his home waters to further increase the pressure on the sailors above him.

For now though the spotlight is on 2005 Trofeo Challenge Roberto Trombini champion, CIAN, who takes his second ISAF Grade 1 event victory of this year.

Final

Paolo CIAN (ITA) d. Björn HANSEN (SWE), 1-0

Petit Final

James SPITHILL (AUS) d. Sebastien COL (FRA), 1-0

Semi Finals

Paolo CIAN (ITA) d. James SPITHILL (AUS), 2-1
Björn HANSEN (SWE) d. Sebastien COL (FRA), 2-1

Final Standings

1. Paolo CIAN (ITA)
2. Björn HANSEN (SWE)
3. James SPITHILL (AUS)
4. Sebastien COL (FRA)
5. Ian WILLIAMS (GBR)
6. Ben AINSLIE (GBR)
7. Flavio FAVINI (ITA)
8. Sten MOHR (DEN)
9. Matteo SIMONCELLI (ITA)
10. Roberto FERRARESE (ITA)
11. Santiago LOPEZ VAZQUEZ (ESP)
12. Luc PILLOT (FRA)