Good day for local sailor

Talbot Wilson reports from day one of the Cicada International Women's Match Race in Bermuda

In the first day of the Cicada International Women's Match Race, Bermudian and champion sailor Paula Lewin and her team had two strong races, winning the second race after the Japanese team of Ikuko Sakudo-Horikawa received two penalties at the start and was subsequently black-flagged. Dutch sailor Kaartje Zuiderbaan also sailed a strong race and, like Lewin, is 2-0.

Lewin is an Olympian and a well-loved sailor here in Bermuda and is keeping the focus on reaching the semi-finals on Tuesday, but she excelled in the 30 knot gusts sent her way today.

"It was very breezy out there today and I think it was a good call to reef the main and race without spinnakers. These boats take some time to learn and are tough to turn," Lewin said. "Our strategy is to finish in the top four this week and get into the semi-finals. We are just taking it day by day but hope we get there."

For Dutch sailor Klaarje Zuiderbaan, who is now at 2-0, boat organization was very important today for her team.

"We knew we would be racing without spinnakers and that we could shift our priorities," Zuiderbaan said. "It makes use of the fact that we can shift gears quickly."

For American sailors Betsy Alison and Cory Sertl, the day was a disappointment as the two top sailors collided on the race course in the second race. The jury heard a protest and both teams were penalized and did not score any points for the critical second race.

"We were on a collision course and I thought that Sertl would go up and that didn't happen and it was unfortunate," Alison said. "However, we will do better tomorrow. The Cicada race is a great feeder event to the Gold Cup and we are here to do well."

Every team in the Cicada International Women's Match Racing Championship will take home some of the $25,000 prize money this year. With the 2004 increase, 1st place now takes $8000, 2nd $4050, 3rd $3400, 4th $2900, 5th $2400, 6th $1900, 7th $1400 and 8th $950.

Results:

CIWMR Flight 1
Win/Loss Skipper Skipper Win/Loss
Match 1 1 P. Lewin vs G. Conti 0
Match 2 0 I. Sakudo-Horikawa vs C. Leroy 1
Match 3 0 C. Sertl vs J. Axhede 1
Match 4 1 K. Zuiderbaan vs B. Alison 0

CIWMR Flight 2
Match 1 1 P. Lewin vs I. Sakudo-Horikawa BF
Match 2 0 J. Axhede vs K. Zuiderbaan 1
Match 3 0 C. Leroy vs G. Conti 1
Match 4 A C. Sertl vs B. Alison A

CIWMR Flight 3
Match 1 0 C. Leroy vs J. Axhede 1
Match 2 1 G. Conti vs K. Zuiderbaan 0
Match 3 0 B. Alison vs P. Lewin 1
Match 4 0 I. Sakuda-Horikawa vs C. Sertl 1

CIWMR Flight 3
Match 1 0 B. Alison vs C. Leroy 1
Match 2 1 C. Sertl vs G. Conti 0
Match 3 0 K. Zuiderbaan vs I. Sakuda-Horikawa 1
Match 4 0 J. Axhede vs P. Lewin 1

CIWMR Flight 4
Match 1 0 B. Alison vs C. Leroy 1
Match 2 0 C. Sertl vs G. Conti 1
Match 3 1 K. Zuiderbaan vs I. Sakuda-Horikawa 0
Match 4 0 J. Axhede vs P. Lewin 1

Overall:

P. Lewin 4 - 0
G. Conti 3 - 1
K. Zuiderbaan 3 - 1
J. Axhede 2 - 2
C. Leroy 2 - 2
C. Sertl 1 - 3
B. Alison 0 -4
I. Sakudo-Horikawa 0 - 4

More photos on page 2...