Axhede’s crew, including Elin Åderman, Johanna Särnå, Nina Bak, Annika Carlunger and Elisabeth Nilsson was media’s number one target during last summer’s Match Cup Sweden. The girls were about to challenge the best men in the world in Marstrand, amateurs against full time pros, facing guys with a physical advantage. Jenny learned a lot during the week:
”It was a lot of fun, very educational and tough; we really had to maximize our efforts and fight for every centimeter in our encounters with the full time professional male sailors.”

They really gave it all, with victories over the world’s number one ranked match racer Ian Williams and the Australian coming star Torvar Mirsky, topped with second place among the girls, right after top ranked Claire Leroy.

The media representatives in Marstrand were constantly calling upon Axhede’s girl crew.
Many spreads were published about the cool girls and their advance on the World Match Racing Tour. Their positive attitude towards meeting the men provided journalists with great stories and headlines. Jenny hopes it also increases interest from suitable partners:
“As the best female Swedish team in the world it is important for us to be able to continue our development now that match racing for women has become a discipline in the Olympics 2012. Every hour out on the water makes a difference and we need to train and compete with the best. We develop a lot as sailors in the races against the male elite.”

Jenny Axhede, who has sailed since she was a child, now has won a silver medal in the world championships, bronze in the European, gold and silver in the Nordic as well as two gold and three silver in the Swedish ditto. Furthermore she appreciates her two trophies from grade 1 events.

In her everyday life Jenny works as a health instructor, which effects the crew’s preparations. Also the mental preparations are good, and it is noticeable that the crew is well bond together. The sailing journalist Joakim Hermansson and photographer Dan Ljungsvik describes this in their own way:
“Silence is a very good sign on a boat – everyone knows exactly what to do, they talk discreet of shifts, trim, speed and altitude. There are no signs of hesitation; they are one strong engine going forward”

In 2008 Axhede’s girls will add a turbo to their trim. With the right economical back-up they can aim for great international results and challenge the incessant number one of the world, Claire Leroy. It is not very farfetched that we will see these two racing for the gold in the women’s cup of Match Cup Sweden 2008.