As Phil Robertson's China One Ningbo and Torvar Mirsky's Mirsky Racing Team streaked out to 4-0 leads in their respective groups at the 70th Bermuda Gold Cup and 2020 Open Match Racing World Championship, it's hard to believe all of the skippers, including those two, who talked of being rusty coming into this regatta.

After a year in which too many regattas were postponed or cancelled due to the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, the specter of International One-Design (IOD) sloops thrashing about Hamilton Harbour is welcomed by all associated with the 70th Bermuda Gold Cup and 2020 Open Match Racing Worlds, which begin tomorrow with gold and silver awaiting the winner at week's end.

World and event champions highlight a fleet adorned with accolades for the celebratory 70th Bermuda Gold Cup and 2020 Open Match Racing World Championship, hosted by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Oct. 26-30.

Two weeks after announcing that the Bermuda Gold Cup will be contested Oct. 26-30, the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and World Match Racing Tour together announce today that the celebratory 70th event will also host the 2020 Open Match Racing World Championship as sanctioned by World Sailing.

Organisers of the World Match Racing Tour have announced there will not be a World Tour leader-board for 2020 due to current travel restrictions from the Covid-19 pandemic preventing many competitors from attending events.

The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) today announced its 20th anniversary season with an 18 event schedule across 13 countries, including a new championship format awarding points from all events towards the annual match racing world title.

The 56th edition of the Congressional Cup, organized by Long Beach Yacht Club in California, will play host to the opening event of the 2020 World Match Racing Tour season April 29 - May 3, 2020.

World Sailing, the world governing body of the sport, has renewed the Special Event status of the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) through to 2028.

Phil Robertson (ChinaOne Ningbo) has become Match Racing World Champion, defeating USA's Taylor Canfield (US One) 3-0 in the finals in Marstrand, Sweden. It is Robertson's second world title following his World Match Racing Tour win in 2016.

Local favourite Nicklas Dackhammar (ESSIQ Racing) today secured his place in the Semi-final of GKSS Match Cup Sweden for the 2018-19 Match Racing World Championship, sending home six-time world champion Ian Williams in a straight 2-0 match.