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 Three Swedish, two Danish, one French, one Australian and one American sailor from the women´s world top in Match racing will compete to win Match Cup Sweden in Marstrand, June 30th – July 6th. More than SEK 300.000 (USD 50.000) in price money and a new trophy for the Ladies´ class are at stake. The new prize, Marstrand Lysekil Women´s Double, is a designed glass trophy to the best placed women team through both Match Cup Sweden and Lysekil Women´s Match July 29th – August 2nd, 2008.In this year´s edition of Match Cup Sweden, eight of the world´s leading female top teams are racing in a dedicated women´s class. Including a great line-up, USD 50.000 in money prize and a brand new glass trophy, Marstrand Lysekil Women´s Double, the Ladies´ class in Marstrand has achieved high status in the sailing world. The trophy is a newly established prize to the female team reaching best position in Match Cup Sweden as well as in Lysekil Women´s Match in the end of July. Seven out of the eight sailors in Marstrand also compete in Lysekil´s Women Match and could thereby bring home the attractive glass trophy Sails designed by famous Kosta Boda glass factories. “We are delighted to have this cooperation between Lysekil Women’s Match and Match Cup Sweden. It is important to raise the interest for Ladies Match racing further”, says Jan Torstenson, managing director, Brandspot, organisers of Match Cup Sweden along with GKSS as responsible for the sports side of the event. “The new trophy adds an exciting and interesting extra dimension to both races. It is a thrill to see the world´s leading sailing women spending so much time in Sweden”, says Anna Holmdahl-White, initiator of Lysekil Women´s Match. Claire Leroy, France, Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen, Denmark and Katie Spithill, Australia are world ranked no. 1, 2 and 3 on the women´s list. Claire Leroy has topped world ranking since 2005. Lotte won in Lysekil 2006 and 24 year old Katie Spithill has been match racing since she was 16. The top trio is challenged by Swedes Linda Rahm and Jenny Axhede, sailing in home waters. Two skilful sailors, knowing the boat type and the special weather and water conditions around the beautiful port inlet of Marstrand. Linda Rahm won Lysekil´s Women´s Match 2007 and is today ranked no. 9 in the world. “We will sail balanced aggressively, there will be tight matches and we have but one objective – to be in the final”, says Linda Rahm who has had a good beginning of the season. “We have trained more than before, participated in seven races and the team works together fine. We have never had such a good outlook as we do now.” Jenny Axhede took over parts of Marie Björling´s crew before last year. During this spring, the team has trained against the French national team and Linda Rahms team. Last year, Team Axhede won Portugal Women´s Cup and ended best Swedish women´s team in Match Cup Sweden when they raced in the same class as the men. “This year, we have focused on trimming manoeuvres and starts. We are now in a stage of high adrenalin running in our blood and go for a top placement”, says Jenny Axhede, today ranked no. 10 of ladies in the world. In the ladies class, GKSS runner up Anna Kjellberg has been invited to compete internationally. Her team was number four in the European Championship 2007 but this is the first time she is sailing a larger boat. Danish Camilla Ulrikkeholm, ranked no. 14, is something of a specialist on the racing boat DS37. Since her start in 2004, she has steadily advanced on the ranking ladder. Also Sandy Hayes from America´s Cup home port Newport, ranked no. 16, knows both the DS37 and Marstrand. “The women´s class has all the potential to become a real thriller”, says Erik Centerwall, sports project manager for Match Cup Sweden. ¬ Facts about Marstrand Lysekil Women´s Double Marstrand Lysekil Women´s Double is a newly established prize, given to the female sailing team having the best accumulated placing following Match Cup Sweden 2008 and Lysekil Women´s Match 2008. The trophy, called “Sails”, is a beautiful piece of designed glass from Kosta Boda. The ambition is to attract the best women sailing teams in the world to the Swedish Match Racing events. The prize could only be won by a team participating in both races. The rules for gaining match points are: - Winner is the team achieving lowest accumulated placing. - Even points, winner is the best/highest single placing (first-fourth stronger than second-third) - Even points, even placings, winner is best placing in latest match (third-second is better than second-third). Participants in Match Cup Sweden, Marstrand, June 30 – July 6: Claire Leroy, FRA Ranking: 1 Lotte Medlgaard Pedersen, DEN Ranking: 2 Katie Spithill, AUS Ranking: 3 Linda Rahm, SWE Ranking: 9 Jenny Axhede, SWE Ranking: 10 Camilla Ulrikkeholm, DEN Ranking: 14 Sandy Hayes, USA Ranking: 16 Anna Kjellberg, SWE Ranking: 23 Participants in Lysekil Women´s Match. July 29 – Aug. 2 Claire Leroy, FRA Lotte Medlgaard Pedersen, DEN Katie Spithill, USA Silke Hahlbrock, GER Ranking: 4 Elisabeth baylis, USA Ranking: 5 Linda Rahm, SWE Jenny Axhede, SWE Sabrina Gurioli, ITA Ranking: 12 Camilla Ulrikkeholm, DEN Lucy MacGregor, GBR Ranking: 22 Anna Kjellberg, SWE Anne-Claire Le Berre, FRA Ranking: 61 |
