Team Acuity take silver medal at WMR Worlds

by Team Acuity media on 13 Aug 2007
Australia’s Team Acuity Take Silver Medal at ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championships, 2007

Australia’s Team Acuity, comprising of Katie Spithill, Nina Curtis, Jessica Eastwell and Kristen Short from RPAYC, have just taken the Silver Medal at the 2007 ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championships in St Quay-Portrieux, FRANCE, sailed in identical Beneteau First Class 8’s.

After the completion of Round Robin 1 Team Acuity were in 3rd place, with automatic qualification into Round 3. In Round 3 they won their races 3-0 to go onto the semi-finals. Team Acuity were 2 down in the semi finals, and came back to win 3 in a row in convincing form, including a double penalty being issued to competitor Josie Gibson in Race 4.

Their opponent for the finals was World Number 1, and also local sailor to St Quay-Portrieux, Claire Leroy. Racing for the finals started at 6pm in a light 5 knot northerly. Race 1 went to Claire Leroy with a strong pre-start and lead off the pin to cross the line first. Race 2 went to Katie Spithill with a controlling prestart and lead off the line. Race 3 was an even start with both teams meeting continually up the beat and a closely covered run. Claire Leroy led around the bottom mark and held this marginally lead to the finish to cross the line first to win her first Women’s Match Race World Title.

Spithill commented, 'With our team being separated this year due to different commitments we are really pleased with our result, we are very grateful for the help and support we have received from both Team Acuity and the time & effort our coach Traks Gordon has put in. For us to be able to race the World Number 1 in her home waters and home boats and take a race off her in the finals was amazing'.

Finals
Claire Leroy – FRA – 2 wins / 1 loses
Katie Spithill – AUS – 1 wins / 2 loses

Petit Finals
Lotte Melgaard Pedersen – DEN – 2 wins / 0 Loses
Josie Gibson – GBR – 0 wins / 2 loses

Final Results 2007 ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championships

1st – Claire Leroy - FRA
2nd – Katie Spithill - AUS
3rd – Lotte Melgaard Pedersen – DEN
4th – Josie Gibson – GBR
5th - Klaartje Zuiderbaan - NED
6th - Christelle Philippe - FRA
7th - Silke Hahlbrock - GER
8th - Jessica Smythe - NZL
9th - Jenny Axhede - SWE
10th - Nicky Souter - AUS
11th - Gemma Farrell - GBR
12th - Sandy Hayes - USA

Regatta Website: http://maiarmor.free.fr/wwmr/