Women's Int'l Match Racing Series - Macgregor remains on top

by Joakim Hermansson on 18 May 2013 When racing commenced today at the Women’s International Match Racing Series in Saint Quay-Portrieux, France, Lucy Macgregor won all her matches but two, keeping her top position with an impressive 12 - 2 record after a still unfinished second round-robin.

Local sailor Julie Bossard and Stephanie Roble from the USA both defeated the British sailor today, and with a 11 - 4 record respectively they are now chasing her just behind. Despite losing two matches Lucy Macgregor thinks she and her team had a really good day, 'Yes, we sailed better and better as the day went on, but just as on the opening day we had to come from behind a couple of times,' she sums up her Friday on the first event of the inaugural Women's International Match Racing Series 2013.

Julie Bossard from neighbour city Saint Brieuc used her knowledge of the local conditions to climb up the scoreboard, after losing just a single match during Friday's races, 'I'm actually in an Olympic campaign in 49er FX right now, so I didn't know until very late that we could participate here in Saint Quay. Now we have got our teamwork together and found the speed too,' she smiles, especially thinking of her match against Lucy Macgregor. '

'There was a lot of fighting in the start, but no penalties were given. When the gun went off both boats lacked speed and were on different tacks, so it was a split start. We led at the first crossing and could then, thanks to better upwind speed, defend the advantageous starboard side of the course to stretch out our lead even further,' Julie Bossard explains.

'Unfortunately we got the wrong side at the first beat, and once behind it was really hard to fight back and get round them,' Lucy Macgregor admits.

Anna Kjellberg of Sweden and Klaartje Zuiderbaan, The Netherlands, are tied on fourth place with nine wins and six losses. The latter lost four matches but only won three during the Friday, 'Looking at the results it was worse than yesterday, but my impression is we sailed better today. Except for a few timing mistakes by myself. And we definitely came off the water with a good feeling!'

So did Kjellberg and Co, who was defeated only by Stephanie Roble, 'We had a completely different mind-set today, sailing our matches from a tactical point-of-view instead of thinking too much about our manoeuvres. And the cooperation within our crew also worked a lot better,' Anna Kjellberg concludes.

Event standings after the second day of racing in Saint Quay Women's Match Racing, the first event of the inaugural 2013 Women's Match Racing Series. The eight first teams will advance to the quarterfinals. Place/name/nationality/victories/lost matches:

1. Lucy Macgregor, GBR, 12 - 2
2. Julie Bossard, FRA, 11 - 4
2. Stephanie Roble, USA, 11 - 4
4. Anna Kjellberg, SWE, 9 - 6
4. Klaartje Zuiderbaan, NED, 9 - 6
6. Claudia Pierce, NZL, 6 - 8
7. Caroline Sylvan, SWE, 6 - 9
8. Milly Bennett, AUS, 5 - 9
9. Alexa Bezel, SUI, 4 - 11
10. Morgane Dréau, FRA, 0 - Womens International Match Racing Series website