Finallists chosen

In the women's division at the Swedish Match Cup in Marstrand

Malin Källström from GKSS, the organising club of the Swedish Match Cup, goes from strength to strength after her maternity leave. On Wednesday afternoon she made it to the final after having defeated Dane Anette Ström decisively 3-0. Marie Björling,
also from GKSS, found it tough going too. It was not until the finish line in the fifth match against world champion Malin Millbourn that she was able to claim victory 3-2.

"It was nice getting my revenge after the World Championships but she really gave us a hard time," said a relieved Marie Björling.

Malin Källström gave her comments about her matches against Anette Ström. "It’s never as easy as it might look. Especially in the first match we felt very nervous and even if we were in the lead it wasn’t until the finish line that we felt sure we’d won."

During her absense from the match racing circuit due to maternity leave Malin Källström has fallen down the rankings and only made it to the Swedish Match Cup through winning the qualifiers in Denmark this spring. She was happy just to make it into the competition. But after winning the Swedish Championships this spring and having a good feeling at present within her team, they have set themselves higher goals.

"Yes, we move them up all the time. Here in Marstrand we first thought it was okay to get to the semis, then we wanted to win them and now that we have gone to the final of course we want to win that too," Källström laughs. "For the final on Saturday we’d like ten knot westerly wind, waves about a metre or a metre and a half, sunshine and a big audience. No, seven knots will be enough. It’s better to sail with a genoa than a jib."

Marie Björling and Malin Millbourn gave us some really exciting sailing in their semi-final. Björling won the first one, then Millbourn won two in a row putting pressure on Björling to win the fourth, which she did before going on to a fifth and decisive match. Malin got a penalty in the pre-start but started well and led the match until the last tack. Then when she made her penalty turn, Björling passed her and in spite of a good recovery by Malin, Marie was first across the finish line.

"What a lovely feeling of relief," says Marie. "Now we have two days to relax and recharge for the final against Malin Källström on Saturday."

Results in the Swedish Match Cup semi-finals, women’s class:

Malin Källström GKSS, SWE vs Anette Ström DEN 3-0
Marie Björling GKSS, SWE vs Mali Millbourn SWE 3-2