Shock upsets as World #3 and #4 exit WMRT final in Shenzhen

Shenzhen, China (7 January, 2026) – Two highly ranked skippers in world match racing were eliminated on Day Two of the 2025 World Match Racing Tour Final in Shenzhen Bao’an, as treacherous light-wind conditions delivered significant upsets in the competition.

Sweden’s Johnie Berntsson (world ranked No. 3) and France’s Ian Garreta (world ranked No. 4) exited the event after the qualifying group stages, marking a dramatic shake-up in the tournament.

After a breezy opening day with winds of 12–18 knots at Shenzhen’s Happy Harbour, conditions shifted to a challenging 8–10 knots, where precision and decision-making became critical. The lighter breeze proved unforgiving, penalising small errors and mistakes, even among pre-event favourites.

By the end of the qualifying races, both groups of eight teams were complete. The top three teams from each group advanced directly to the quarterfinals, while teams ranking fourth to seventh moved on to a repechage round. Notably, the bottom team from each group was eliminated, a surprise to many as it included the disappointed Berntsson and Garreta.

Defending champion Ian Williams of Great Britain topped his group with five wins and two losses, mirrored by France’s Timothée Rossi, who led the second group with the same performance. Other skippers securing direct entry to the quarterfinals include Oscar Engström of Sweden, Cole Tapper of Australia, current tour points leader Chris Poole from the United States, and Aurélien Pierroz from France.

Rossi emerged as a standout performer, seizing victories in the light-air conditions over seasoned opponents, including Eric Monnin and Berntsson. Eight teams will now compete in the repechage round, with only two spots available for the quarterfinals, ensuring a high-stakes continuation of the tournament.

With two of the top four skippers eliminated, the 2025 WMRT Final is shaping up to be an unpredictable contest as a new generation of skippers aims to challenge established competitors like Williams and Poole for a position on the WMRT Championship podium.