Gilchrist Dominates in Winnipeg to Claim Vimy Ridge Classic Crown
Peter Gilchrist Wins the 2026 World Billiards Vimy Ridge Classic
Peter Gilchrist delivered a masterclass in Winnipeg to claim the 2026 World Billiards Vimy Ridge Classic, defeating Robert Hall by a commanding 801-252 margin in the final. The former world champion, representing Singapore, entered the three-day Level Three ranking event as the highest seed and thoroughly justified that billing, never looking in serious danger throughout the entire competition.
Gilchrist Sweeps Through the Field
The 50-player field gave Gilchrist plenty to navigate, but the Singaporean cueist made light work of the group stage, recording a clean sweep of victories against his Canadian opponents before stepping up a gear in the knockout rounds. He dispatched Steve Jones convincingly at the last sixteen stage — winning 515-137 — before posting an even more emphatic 730-273 victory over Phil Johnson to book his place in the semi-finals.
It was Chris Coumbe who provided the stiffest resistance on the road to the title. Coumbe produced some high-quality billiards in their last-four clash, compiling a break of 195 — the highest of that particular match — to keep the pressure on. Gilchrist, however, showed exactly why he remains one of the sport's most decorated names, edging through 421-396 in what was a genuinely tight and compelling contest.
Hall No Match in the Final
Robert Hall had earned his place in the final by defeating former ranking event winner Dhruv Sitwala in the other semi-final — a result that underlined Hall's quality heading into the title match. However, Gilchrist shifted through the gears when it mattered most. He compiled the tournament's highest break of 360 during the final, a stunning contribution that illustrated just how far ahead of the field he was operating at that point. The final scoreline of 801-252 tells its own story — this was a thoroughly dominant display from a man who clearly arrived in Canada in the form of his life.
What's Next: The PABSA Pan Am Cup
The World Billiards season rolls straight on without pause, with Winnipeg now hosting the 2026 PABSA Pan Am Cup from 27th to 30th August. The Vimy Ridge Classic was always billed as the first part of a Canadian double-header, and competitors who have made the trip across the Atlantic will be eager to carry their momentum forward into the Pan Am event. Whether Gilchrist can back up his Vimy Ridge success with another title remains to be seen, but on this evidence he will be the player everyone else needs to beat.
For those following the World Billiards circuit, Gilchrist's form is a recurring theme. The Singaporean veteran has an extraordinary record at the top level and continues to prove that his best billiards are very much still in him. Wins like this — dominant from start to finish, with a tournament-high break thrown in for good measure — are a reminder that English billiards at the elite level remains a genuinely compelling watch, even if it operates slightly in the shadow of snooker on the mainstream sports radar.
Keep an eye on SnookerWins for coverage of the 2026 PABSA Pan Am Cup as it unfolds in Winnipeg later this week.
