Level pegging

Marie Björling back on form during day one of the ISAF Women's Match Racing Worlds

A very tight start field put on a great show during the first day of the ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship in Lysekil, Sweden. Five skippers, Claire Leroy, Katie Spithill, Camille Ulrikkeholm, Anna Kjellberg and have taken the lead with four matches won out of five in the first Round Robin.
 
The World Championship started in perfect conditions. In blue skies and south-westerly winds of around 15 knots, the world’s foremost female match racing teams gave the many spectators action packed sailing excitement carrying out tough manoeuvres, pushing the boats to their maximum.
 
"Today’s sailing proves even more that many teams are able to win. The competition is closer than previous years," said defending World Champion Claire Leroy who lost one match today against Swedish local Marie Björling.
 
Björling is having a successful comeback after a two-year break, showing great form.
"We sailed fast, handled the boat well, and made good tactical decisions," she continued, happy to start the regatta well by beating the World Champion Claire Leroy and Lucy Macgregor ranked third on ISAF women’s world ranking list.
 
Result day 1: ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship (with ISAF women's match racing world ranking number - 5 matches sailed out of 11 in the first Round Robin):

Claire Leroy (1) FRA           4-1
Katie Spithill (2) AUS          4-1
Anna Kjellberg (10) SWE               4-1
Camilla Ulrikkeholm (13) DEN 4-1
Marie Björling (43) SWE     4-1
Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen (5) DEN  3-2           
Silke Hahlbrock (6) GER  2-3
Sally Barkow (7) USA         2-3
Lucy Macgregor (3) GBR               1-4
Linda Rahm (4) SWE          1-4
Nicole Souter (8) AUS        1-4
Christelle Philippe (19) FRA 0-5