HAMPSHIRE’S match racing stars Ian Williams and Ben Ainslie are gearing up for the grand finale of the world series.
Olympic legend Ainslie, pictured inset, currently sits third in the overall leaderboard of the World Match Racing Tour going into the Monsoon Cup in Malaysia.
Double world match racing champion Williams, pictured, is just two places and 16 points behind Ainslie in fifth place.
The Monsoon Cup is the culmination of the nine-event series that brings together some of the biggest talents in tactical sailing in the world.
Ainslie, from Lymington, goes into the final event on a high after victory in the Bermuda Gold Cup last month.
It will also be the final event for Ainslie’s Team Origin, the squad put together by Sir Keith Mills to challenge for the America’s Cup.
It was announced in October that Team Origin would not compete for the America’s Cup, ending a three-year campaign.
Williams, from Southampton, has extra reason to go into the Monsoon Cup fighting after Kiwi rival Adam Minoprio said he was no threat to the leading skippers.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here