Wot Chicks Wrap Up Swedish Womens Match Tour

by Katie Spithill on 3 Aug 2008 Wot Chicks, headed up by Australia’s highest ranked woman match racer, Katie Spithill, finished at the half way mark from 12 international teams competing at the Lysekil Women’s Match held in Sweden.

Light winds plagued the start of day 4 with racing for Stage 2 postponed for several hours. By the time competing teams were given permission to leave the dock, a 5 knot westerly had developed. The course was set close to the shore promoting the need to win the right hand side off the start line. The first boat to tack at the rocks benefited from a lift, which allowed for a top mark lay.

Despite the vast improvements Wot Chicks made to their boat handling and strategy, this regatta highlighted the importance of regular regatta competition to keep pre-start skills honed. Although often dominating the first few minutes of the pre-start, the teams biggest objective now is to focus on maintaining the advantage for the first shift.

'We were very happy with our progress in boat speed and manoeuvring as well as the development in our crew work,' commented Katie Spithill. ‘This was an invaluable experience given that we hope to be back here at this same location next year to contend the 2009 World Championships.’

Finals day saw an increase in breeze to 10-15 knots and a much more even course. All eyes turned to the top 4. Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen (DEN) took the Petit Final in 2 matches, from the British team of Lucy MacGregor. The fight for the top spot was fierce, all matches incredibly close, defending champion Linda Rahm (SWE) winning matches 1 and 2. World No. 1 Claire Leroy (FRA) came back strongly to win the next 2 matches, leaving the score at 2 each. The Swedes won the last race by a few boat lengths, sending the local crowd wild.

Final results for the regatta are:
1.Linda Rahm (SWE)
2.Claire Leroy (FRA)
3.Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen (DEN)
4.Lucy MacGregor (GBR)
5.Jenny Axhede (SWE)
6.Katie Spithill (AUS)
7.Camilla Ulrikkeholm (DEN)
8.Anna Kjellberg (SWE)
9.Silke Hahlbrock (GER)
10.Liz Baylis (USA)
11.Sabrina Gurioli (ITA)
12.Anne-Claire Le Berre (FRA)

Next on the calendar for 2008 is a combination of Grade 1 and Grade 2 events which are to be held in Italy, Germany, Korea and USA.

Wot Chicks is proudly supported by Graeme Wood, founder of Wotif.com, SLAM and Rudy Project.

http://www.lysekilwomensmatch.se/