Women's matchracing in Sweden

Two weeks until the Lysekil Women's Match begins

There are only two weeks left until the start pening of the first Lysekil Women's Match, run where the Bohuslän archipelago on the Swedish west coast is the most beautiful. With a total prize purse of SEK 400 000 (£29,000) and 12 of the world's most talented female match racing skippers, the Lysekil Women's Match is one of the leading competitions for female sailors.

Racing will take place around the corner from the harbour, close to the centre of town and with the cliffs of the island of Släggö as a natural grandstand. "Spectators can watch the races from the very best site, and we are looking forward to tight and exciting matches with the six race boats," says project leader Anna Holmdahl from Sailnet, the company behind the competition, in cooperation with the local Lysekil Yacht Club (LSSG).

Holmdahl has had a week's vacation following her third consecutive victory in the Swedish Match Cup in Marstrand, where she sailed as a tactician in Marie Björling's successful Team Panorama. But now she's working fulltime again, with the last preparations for this event of world importance in Lysekil.

Björling, who will have to manage without Holmdahl's tactical skills in the Lysekil Women´s Match is hoping to continue her success from Marstrand. "On the latest published ranking list I have descended to the ninth place, but I don't see any drama in it. I will soon be back on the top again," she says.

The opposition in Lysekil will, however, be the toughest, since the great majority of the world's elite have accepted the invitation. They include: Danish Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen, who was beaten by Björling in the Swedish Match Cup final, and who has taken over the position as number one in the world and is now sailing to defend it. The reigning world champion Sally Barkow from USA comes in company with fellow countrywoman Elizabeth Kratzig, who has won three American championships.

The three Frenchwomen Claire Leroy, Marie Faure and Christine Briand are all highly qualified, with both medals from world championshis and much experience matchracing. Katie Spithill from Australia, from Holland Klaartje Zuiderbaan and Denmark, Nina Braestrup, are also coming to Lysekil Women's Match, as well as Marie Björling's club companions from the Royal Gothenburg Yacht Club, Linda Rahm and Malin Källström, with their crews.