Spithill sister through

An update from the Lysekil Women’s Match Race

After an exceptional day of racing, Australia’s Team Acuity, skippered by Katie Spithill, have qualified for the Semi Finals of the Grade 1 Lysekil Women’s Match Race in Sweden. Sailing with Katie are Kristen Short, Alessandra Angelini, Elizabeth Walsh, Jessica Eastwell and Nina Curtis.

Racing this morning was to complete the super 6 round for the top 6 qualifying skippers.

Round Robin 2 Results
1. Marie Bjorling, SWE – 3 wins / 2 loses
2. Linda Rahm, SWE – 3 wins / 2 loses
3. Lotte Melgaard-Pedersen, DEN – 3 wins / 2 loses
4. Katie Spithill, AUS – 3 wins / 2 loses
5. Jenny Axhede, SWE – 2 wins / 3 loses
6. Malin Millbourne, SWE – 1 win / 4 loses

After the organisers broke the four way tie for first place, winning skipper Marie Bjorling elected to sail the Australian Team to race in the first to three semi finals.

Race 2 of the Semi Finals this afternoon was the closest race of the day for Team Acuity. This was the first 3 lap race that the Australians had sailed.

With a split tack start the boats met every port and starboard in a tacking duel to the top mark. With Spithill protecting starboard advantage the boats came together and Y flags were flown. As Bjorling was tacking boat, she failed to keep clear and was awarded a penalty. Gaining a small left hand shift Bjorling led around the top mark with Spithill close on their stern. On the third upwind leg with Spithill close on Bjorlings stern, Bjorling chose to wipe her penalty off and Spithill crossed clear ahead.
Spithill kept clean air down the run, to cross the line ahead making the score 1 win each.

Two Races of the semi finals have been completed with the score card at:

Match 1
Lotte Melgaard-Pedersen – 0 wins / 2 loses
Jenny Axhede – 2 wins / 0 loses

Match 2
Katie Spithill – 1 win / 1 loss
Marie Bjorling – 1 win / 1 los