24 years old rookie Anna Kjellberg from Gothenburg is the first debutant ever in Match Cup Sweden to catch a spot in the final. It took four matches in the semi finals against Jenny Axhede, unbeaten in the Round-Robin, to secure the victory.

“I love Match racing, says Anna Kjellberg, a couple of seconds after crossing the finish line.”

Kjellberg started the fourth race by pushing Axhede towards the cliffs where the wind was unstable due to leeward from Kjellberg’s sail. Kjellberg was ahead and controlled the match prior to the last upwind leg. But Axhede managed to close the gap. Kjellberg and her crew had a great team work though, and did have control. They kept tight coverage while beating to the rounding point. Axhede did not manage to properly sheet the foresail when tacking upwind.

Anna Kjellberg could therefore comfortably round up and start the last downwind leg towards the finish line. And when Axhede had trouble raising the spinnaker, thereby losing her speed, the win was settled for the young Swede who entered the contest on a wild card.

 “We came here without pressure. We would have been happy just sailing the quarters. But we know this boat, and we have discovered we like close contact and tight racing. Axhede’s crew looked more nervous in the tackings” Anna Kjellberg says.

Match Cup Sweden Final for women 2008 starts at 12:30 at Marstrand.

“We’re gonna get this, god damn it!” screamed Anna hysterically. “To keep our cool we’re off for a swim right away!”