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 claimed an unprecedented ninth World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) annual title and the match racing world champion crown with a commanding performance, defeating his opponent 2-0 at the 2025 WMRT Shenzhen·Bao'an Final that ended Jan.11.
Sailors compete during the 2025 WMRT Shenzhen·Bao'an Final off OH Bay in Bao'an District.Photos by Liu Xudong
With Bao'an hosting the WMRT final, a global top-tier sailing race spanning six days, for the third consecutive year, Williams completed a three-peat, and Bao'an has become a professional home for this nine-time champion.
The afternoon final Jan. 11 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.
Spectators gather along the waterfront at OH Bay to watch the 2025 WMRT Shenzhen·Bao'an Final.
Experience, however, proved decisive. In the first match of the final, Williams, thanks to precise judgment 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 later stages, the British helmsman remained flawless and clinched the title with a 2–0 overall victory.
Swedish sailor Oscar Engström and his crew sail through Qianhai Bay during the WMRT Shenzhen·Bao'an Final.
"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.
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.
World No. 1 Chris Poole (2nd R) and his teammates share a light moment between races at the WMRT Shenzhen·Bao'an Final.
Morning wind delays had compressed the schedule, so the bronze medal was decided by a single winner-takes-all race. Poole's team secured a favorable starboard position at the start and held the advantage to the finish, taking the third place.
Winds in Qianhai Bay, off the OH Bay park, shifted from every direction, posing substantial challenges to the match racers.
Sailors compete during the 2025 WMRT Shenzhen·Bao'an Final.
"The wind is very tricky. It's difficult to navigate and choose the right options," said Victoire Lerat, a crew member of the APCC Sailing Team from France.
It was Aurelien Barthelemy's second time competing in Shenzhen, and he found the conditions tough but enjoyable. "Our tactician constantly had his eyes out of the boat, watching and checking the wind," said Barthelemy of the MatchAgain team.
The event drew wide praise from competitors for its distinctive urban backdrop and varied racing conditions.
Sailors from around the world at the opening ceremony of the 2025 WMRT Shenzhen·Bao'an Final.
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 by 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."
The 2025 WMRT Shenzhen·Bao'an Final takes place off OH Bay in Bao'an District.
Poole, who has competed here each year since the WMRT was hosted in Bao'an three years ago, shared that view. He praised Shenzhen as an ideal venue for match racing, noting that the small courses allow races to be held close to shore.
"People can watch from the shore, which makes for great viewing," said the American skipper.
"I look forward to racing more events in these waters and continuing to help grow sailing here," Williams said after the awards.
The 2025 WMRT Shenzhen·Bao'an Final features a lineup of 16 international seasoned match racing teams.
Williams' ties to China now span 18 years. In 2008, he sailed as the 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," he said.
The final series drew large crowds to witness the exhilarating competitions. According to the event organizers, more than 200,000 people watched the matches over six days.
"It's great fun to watch the races from so close. I can even see the skippers' immediate reactions to sudden wind shifts," said Zhang Bin from the shore Friday afternoon.
British skipper Ian Williams and his crew power through Qianhai Bay during the 2025 WMRT Shenzhen·Bao'an Final.
This year's Bao'an final featured a lineup of 16 international seasoned match racing teams and former world champions, who earned their places in the final after completing 16 legs across 10 countries and regions throughout 2025.
Established in 2000, the WMRT promotes match racing globally and stands as the longest-running professional series in sailing. It has been recognized as a special event by World Sailing, the sport's governing body, since 2006.
