British helmsman makes match racing history in Bao'an

Video and photos by Liu Xudong

As the last sailboat faded into the horizon over the waters of Qianhai Bay off OH Bay park in Bao’an CBD, British skipper Ian Williams was in dominant form to claim an unprecedented ninth World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) annual title and the match-racing world championship by winning 2-0 at the 2025 WMRT Shenzhen·Bao’an Final that ended Sunday.

With Bao'an hosting the WMRT final for the third consecutive year, Williams completed a three-peat, and Shenzhen has become a professional home for the nine-time champion.

British skipper Ian Williams and his crew power through Qianhai Bay during the 2025 WMRT Shenzhen·Bao’an Final.

The afternoon final Sunday pitted Williams against Swedish rising star Oscar Engström. Engström had stormed into the final after a dramatic 3–2 semifinal comeback over world No. 1 Chris Poole, establishing himself as the tournament’s dark horse.

Experience, however, proved decisive. In the first match of the final, Williams, thanks to precise reading of the light-breeze conditions in Qianhai Bay, maintained the lead throughout.

In the second match, Engström’s overly aggressive play at the start landed him with a penalty, which Williams quickly capitalized on to open a gap. Although Engström fought hard in the latter stages, the British sailor remained flawless and clinched the title with a 2–0 overall victory.

“We got better and better over the week. Going into the final, I felt the team was very strong. Oscar gave everything, but in the end, experience was on our side. We’re grateful to Bao'an for witnessing our three-peat,”  said Williams after the race.

Swedish sailor Oscar Engström and his crew sail through Qianhai Bay during the WMRT Shenzhen·Bao’an Final.

U.S. skipper Poole, ranked No. 1 in match racing, endured a roller-coaster day. After the disappointment of being knocked out in the semifinals, he quickly refocused for the bronze match against New Zealand veteran Nick Egnot-Johnson.

Morning wind delays had compressed the schedule, so the bronze medal was decided by a single winner-take-all race. Poole’s team secured a favorable starboard position at the start and maintained the advantage to the finish, taking third place.

World No. 1 Chris Poole (2nd R) and his teammates share a light moment between races at the WMRT Shenzhen·Bao’an Final.

The event, held in the Qianhai Bay area of OH Bay park, drew wide praise from competitors for its distinctive urban backdrop and varied racing conditions.

New Zealander Egnot-Johnson praised the organizers: “Although we were still waiting for wind in the morning, the race committee made efficient use of the best wind in the afternoon. Even though I didn’t make the final, coming back through the repechage was a great test.”

Engström was equally impressed with the city: “This is my first time in Shenzhen. The race conditions were very challenging, and racing Ian in the final was a great learning opportunity. The crowd and the city atmosphere were fantastic.”

Spectators gather along the waterfront at OH Bay Park to watch the 2025 WMRT Shenzhen·Bao’an Final.

Williams’ ties to China now span 18 years. In 2008, he sailed as skipper of the Chinese team in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series held in New Zealand, and since then he has won championship trophies in Chinese cities including Qingdao and Shenzhen on multiple occasions.

“I love racing in China,” Williams said after the awards. “I look forward to competing in more events in these waters and continuing to help grow sailing here.

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