The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) today announced its 2021 world championship season with a 17 event schedule across 11 countries, including the inaugural Ā WMRT Final in Shenzhen, China from 15-19 December. Ā 

The 2021 season announcement has been made later than planned this year following the ongoing covid-19 pandemic and recovery, and the necessary re-scheduling of some events, as WMRT Executive Director James Pleasance explains: ā€œLast year was challenging for all international sports. We were very fortunate to be able to award the WMRT championship in Bermuda in October (won by Taylor Canfield and Stars + Stripes USA) due to the fantastic efforts of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. We are very hopeful 2021 will allow for a full tour season however, understandably, organisers and sailors are cautious of ongoing restrictions, which is why we have set the tour schedule not to start before the end of April.ā€

As last year, the 2021 WMRT season will comprise of ā€˜World Tourā€™ events and ā€˜World Championshipā€™ events, opening with the Szczecin Match Race, Poland, 30 April-2 May. All events are organised under World Sailing rules as Open match racing events, allowing both men and women skippers, as well as mixed teams to compete. ā€˜World Championshipā€™ level events award higher points to the WMRT leader-board, and prize money of at least USD75,000.

Skippers will count their best four results from the tour towards the WMRT 2021 leader-board. The top 10-12 skippers on the leader-board after the penultimate event will qualify to compete at the new WMRT Final hosted by the Shenzhen Baoā€™an Match Cup in China, 15-19 December. Ā 

The WMRT Final will carry a points multiplier of x1.5 points and an event purse of USD200,000. The skipper with the highest number of points on the leader-board after the WMRT Final will be crowned WMRT Match Racing World Champion.

Defending two-time match racing world champion Taylor Canfield is planning to defend his title in 2021 with his Stars+Stripes USA team;

ā€œWMRT is a great platform for sailors and fans to experience the best match racing competition globally. The Tour has done a fantastic job creating a racing schedule in the US, Europe, and Asia. We are excited for 2021 and our team and partners are looking forward to defending the World Championship title this year,ā€ said Taylor Canfield.Ā 

Taylor Canfield (centre) and the Stars+Stripes USA team winning the
2020 WMRT Match Racing World Championship, Bermuda

Canfield will face strong competition from six-time world champion Ian Williams (GBR), two-time world champion Phil Robertson (NZL), and recently announced 2021 Tour Card skippers Eric Monnin (SUI), Maxime Mesnil (FRA) and Nick Egnot-Johnson (NZL).

2021 World Match Racing Tour Schedule

  1. Szczecin Match Race, Poland, 30 April ā€“ 2 May
  2. Porto Montenegro Match Race, 7-9 May
  3. NJK Open Spring Cup, Finland, 21-23 May
  4. GKKS Spring Cup, Gothenburg, Sweden, 29-30 May
  5. GKSS MATCH CUP MARSTRAND*, Marstrand, Sweden, 6-10 July
  6. Internationaux de France Match Racing, Pornichet, 29 July ā€“ 4 August
  7. The Chicago Cup, 6-8 August
  8. International Match Race for the Detroit Cup, 19-22 August
  9. Baltic Match Race, Estonia, 25-29 August
  10. Oakcliff International, Oyster Bay NY, 27-30 August
  11. Thompson Cup, Oyster Bay NY, 1-4 September
  12. Ficker Cup, Long Beach USA, 9-12 September
  13. Match Race Germany, Lake Constance, 8-12 September
  14. THE CONGRESSIONAL CUP REGATTA*, Long Beach USA, 14-19 September
  15. DBS Marina Bay Cup, Singapore 30 Sept-3 Oct
  16. BERMUDA GOLD CUP*, 27 Sept ā€“ 2 Oct
  17. SHENZHEN BAOā€™AN MATCH CUP, WMRT FINAL* Shenzhen, China, 15-19 December
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