ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship 2009

ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship 2009 - Lysekil, 28.Juli - 01.August 2009
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Lysekil Women’s Match 27 July – 1 August
ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship 2009

Lysekil, Sweden, July 27, 2009. First Round Robin Starting Tomorrow Tuesday
- ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship inaugurated today

The ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship in Lysekil is the most prestigious event in women's match racing. This year's championship has added interest, as it is the first in the four-year cycle, which will culminate in the 2012 Olympic sailing competition, where Women’s Match Racing will feature for the first time on the Olympic programme.

Foto: Dan Ljungsvik

After a few hours of training in more than 20 knots of wind the 12 teams had a good taste of what to expect for the next coming five tough days of the ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship in Lysekil, Sweden. Tomorrow starts the first “round robin”, when the teams all will meet each opponent once.

The 12 teams origin from seven different countries: Great Britain, France, Australia, USA, Germany, Denmark and Sweden. A tight starting field with many options for the gold medal.

Britain’s 22-year old Lucy MacGregor is the youngest skipper in the World Championship, but one of the most successful, ranked third on the ISAF women’s world ranking list. MacGregor already has a busy campaign, training full time towards the 2012 Olympics in her home waters in Great Britain.

French world champion Claire Leroy is of course one of the favourites for gold as well as Australian Katie Spithill, who won the important Match Race Sweden earlier in July. Several of the Scandinavian teams have clear chances for gold with Swedish Linda Rahm, defending her two- time victory in in Lysekil 2008 and 2007, leading the way. The Swedes and Danes are used to sailing on the Danish race yacht, DS37 match racer, a fast and physical match racing yacht, ideal both competition wise and spectator wise.

The opening ceremony will take place tonight by the impressive full- rigger ship Götheborg. During the week more than 85 000 spectators are expected to watch the yacht racing or join some of the many activities on land like free concerts, outdoor cinema, auction or shopping clothes, food and even beds in one of the many exhibition stands.

Lysekil Women`s Match will be held for the fifth time in Lysekil. The event has become a major attraction and the number of spectators has increased dramatically since the first event in 2004.

Did you know?
Each match will last for about 15-20 minutes and there will be around 20 matches sailed each day from Tuesday to Saturday.

12 skippers to the ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship (with ISAF world ranking number):
Claire Leroy (1) FRA Katie Spithill (2) AUS Lucy MacGregor (3) GBR Linda Rahm (4)SWE Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen (5) DEN Silke Hahlbrock (6) GER Sally Barkow (7) USA Nicole Souter (8) AUS Anna Kjellberg (10) SWE Camilla Ulrikkeholm (13) DEN Christelle Philippe (19) FRA Marie Björling (wild card) SWE

ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship 2009 / Lysekil Women's Match is with its 50 000 Euro prize purse the world’s biggest competition in women’s match racing.

Lysekil Women's Match is organised by Sailnet Lysekil AB together with Lysekil Yacht Club Gullmar.

index sponsors: Preem and Stena Bulk, with Carpe Diem Beds of Sweden, Concordia Maritime, Evidens and Sebago as partners and Lysekil as Host City.

Event dates: 27 July - 1 August.

Photos:
High resolution photos from today’s training are available on the official web site http://www.lysekilwomensmatch.se/page/632/pressbilder2009.htm

For more information regarding Lysekil Women’s Match please contact:
Press Officer Josefine Ås, media@sailnet.se, +46 70 575 53 08
www.lysekilwomensmatch.se