William and Leroy atop ISAF World Match Race Rankings

(BEIJING, June 26) -- Britain's Ian Williams and France's Claire Leroy are on top of the men's and women's ISAF World Match Race Rankings, respectively, which were released on June 25.

Ian Williams, who has been in the top 10 of the ISAF World Match Race Open Rankings since July 2003, became the first British sailor awarded the honor.

"It is particularly satisfying for me to have reached the number one spot exactly two years after having taken up sailing full time. During this time I have been able to concentrate on developing a strong, consistent team, especially with the support of Pindar, which I think has been reflected in our recent performance," said Williams, as reported by Pindar.com. "Getting to number one is a great achievement but the hardest part will be defending the position."

France's Mathieu Richard ranks second and the Paolo Cian of Italy is in the third spot. Denmark's Peter Wibroe and New Zealand's Adam Minoprio are the two new entries in the top ten, sitting in eigth and tenth, respectively.

The top five spots on the women's side remain unchanged. Claire Leroy of France is still in first place followed by Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen of Denmark, Katie Spithill of Australia, Silke Hahlbrock of Germany and Elizabeth Baylis of the USA.

Finland's Martina Karlemo has gone up 51 places to 27, while Charlotte Lawrence from Germany has moved from the 101 spot to 54.