HAMPSHIRE racer Ian Williams has vowed to avenge his defeat at the hands of young gun Taylor Canfield at the previous round of the World Match Racing Tour.

Lymington's Williams was favourite to win the fourth stage of racing in Chicago with his GAC Pindar crew but was pipped to the title by 2013 world champ Canfield.

Four-time world champion Williams has said he will target the young US Virgin Islander as racing resumes on the waters of Lelystad in Holland.

Despite finishing runner up in Chicago, Williams has a 20-point buffer at the top of the overall standings which guarantees he will lead into the final event of the season in November.

“We were disappointed to come second in Chicago as we had a good lead in races two and three of the final against Canfield,” he said.

“However, having made the final, we’re guaranteed to lead the tour going into the final event and that’s a great milestone.

“The focus is all about building for Malaysia and if we can take points off Canfield and Richard in the next two regattas that will be a huge advantage for us.

“The pressure is on the others at the moment.

“Lelystad is a new venue for everybody and it’ll be interesting to see who adapts to the conditions and boats the quickest.”

Williams, a former city lawyer, won the World Match Racing Tour in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2012.

If he were to win a fifth world title he would become one of only a handful of sailors ever to do so.

Last night Williams and GAC Pindar remained unbeaten after the opening round of racing in Lelystad.

He said success would come with mastering the Maxfun 25 keelboats provided to race in.

“They’re the smallest we sail on the tour, the most sensitive to crew weight and position,” he said.

“It’s about remembering your dinghy sailing days, focusing on your crew weight and kinetics. It has worked well for us so far, but a long way to go.”

The Dutch Match Cup runs until Sunday.