Women head to Bermuda

News of the forthcoming Virtual Spectator Women's match racing worlds

Virtual Spectator, a leader in 3D graphics, animation, education and broadcast technologies, announces it will be the 2005 Title Sponsor of the Virtual Spectator ISAF Women's World Match Racing Championship to be held October 15-18, in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Eleven of the thirteen top ranked ISAF women in match race sailing, according to June 22, 2005 rankings, will contend for the World Championship Title, a share in the US$25,000 prize money, the ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship Trophy and the opportunity to compete in the prestigious, King Edward VII Gold Cup on Hamilton Harbour.

"To watch the professional Women's circuit and see the constant display of determination, teamplay and skill of these top ranked women's skippers, makes being the Title Sponsor of their World Championship an honour," said Douglas L. King, Managing Director of Virtual Spectator. "It will be with great pleasure that we welcome the leading ladies of sailing to our shores."

Sally Barkow, (USA) reigning match race champion whose team just won the 2005 Women's Keelboat Championship, will defend her current ISAF World Match Racing title against the top ranked women skippers in the world today: Claire Leroy (France), Marie Bjorling (Sweden), Nina Braestrup (Denmark), first to third respectively.

Vice Commodore Andrew Cox stated, "To have Virtual Spectator, who is widely recognized across the sporting world, as Title Sponsor is a major advantage and promotion of this world-class regatta. We look forward to working with them in the Women's Event and appreciate their participation as Presenting Sponsor and Technology Partner of The King Edward VII Gold Cup"

Action begins on Saturday, October 15th with the Virtual Spectator ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship sailed in J24's and the unseeded Grade 3 Gold Cup Qualifying match racing event being sailed in classic IOD's. It will be non-stop action straight through to Tuesday when the ISAF prize giving crowns the women's world champion and racing confirms the top six in the Gold Cup Qualifier.

Skipper and event information is now online at http://www.vssailing.com