LeRoy tops the leaderboard

As top six go through to the quarterfinals at the ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship

The 12 teams in the ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship encountered highly physical sailing as the first Round Robin was completed today. The quarterfinals did not start today as the racing was interrupted at midday when a front came in, bringing gale force winds to the race course.

Cascades of rain were already pouring down mainsails during the last matches of the round robin this afternoon. Strong, very shifty, hard read wind, and at times heavy rain showers, made racing difficult for both competitors and race committee. But the world’s best female match racers sailed superby with a lot of action and top boat handling.

France's Claire Leroy and the Swedish teams of Marie Björling and Anna Kjellberg were already qualified for the quarterfinals yesterday. The three remaining spots were determined in tough matches resulting in very close scoring.

Australian Katie Spithill sailed aggressively in the brisk conditions and won two of her matches today, and made it through to the quarterfinals, which also was the case for her fellow country woman Nicole Souter.

"It is a big benefit for us to have a sparring partner. We are more like a team of 12, having the same coach and pushing each other," said Katie Spithill currently ranked number two on the ISAF women’s match racing world ranking.

Camille Ulrikkeholm of Denmark won the final place in the quarterfinals, with the same scoreline as the two Australian teams: six victories and five losses.

Reigning World Champion, Claire Leroy topped the first round robin with 10 victories and only one match lost.

"Our objective in the first round robin was to finish top four, so this result is a big surprise and we are very happy. All six teams that have made it to the quarterfinals are sailing really well and every match will be tough racing," said Claire Leroy, who sailed with a brand new crewmember today as the team’s bowman injured her hand when helping trim the gennaker during a difficult tack yesterday afternoon. The new bowman, Camille Lecointre, who has never sailed with the team, was flown in from France late last night. The issue does not seem to have changed Leroy’s success, winning all her matches today.

For the quarterfinals the six competitors will sail another round robin. The four best teams will continue to the semi finals. The points from the first round robin are not counted to the quarterfinals.

On Saturday the final will be held and the World Champion 2009 will be crowned.

Results day 3: First Round Robin completed. Top six to quarterfinals.

1. Claire Leroy (1) FRA 10-1
2. Marie Björling (43) SWE 9-2
3. Anna Kjellberg (10) SWE 8-3
4. Nicole Souter (8) AUS 6-5
5. Katie Spithill (2) AUS 6-5
6. Camille Ulrikkeholm (13) DEN 6-5

7. Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen (5) DEN 5-6
8. Sally Barkow (7) USA 5-6
9. Lucy Macgregor (3) GBR 5-6
10. Linda Rahm (4) SWE 4-7
11. Silke Hahlbrock (6) GER 2-9
12. Christelle Philippe (19) FRA 0-11