Wot Chicks finish second in a tie break in Calpe

by Lisa Ratcliff on 21 Apr 2009
Australia’s Wot Chicks narrowly finished runners up to the world number one in a tie break at the opening grade one regatta for the women’s match racing season, the XI International Women Match Race Criterium hosted by the Real Club Náutico Calpe in Calpe, Spain.

Wot Chicks’ final result belied their shaky start on Wednesday 15 April with only two races sailed due to boat breakdowns, a win to Christelle Philippe (FRA) and a loss to Lotte Meldgaard Pederson (DEN) kick starting their regatta.

Sailing the Italian designed Tom 28 Wot Chicks skipper Katie Spithill and her crew of Samantha Boyd, Jessica Eastwell, Lucinda Whitty and Stacey Jackson braved a cold snap and uncomfortable sea state to rally on day two. In the 15-18 knot breeze Wot Chicks won four of their five races, including against eventual overall winner and the world’s highest ranked female match racer, Claire Leroy (FRA).

After completing the three extra make-up races from day one to finish the round robin in fourth, Wot Chicks advanced to the quarter final on day three where they were matched up with Anna Kjellberg (SWE) in a best of three sail-off. With a 2-0 result, Wot Chicks moved into the semi finals along with Leroy, Meldgaard Pederson and Julie Bossard (FRA).

Semi final upsets were first and third places from the round robin Silke Hahlbrock (GER) and Lucy Macgregor (GBR), both going down 1-2 in the quarter finals and surprisingly missing out on a semi finals berth.

In her day three report Spithill commented: 'We are really pleased with our performance thus far, this being the first grade 1 of the season. We are looking forward to another strong day on the water tomorrow.'

In the semi finals on day four, the closing day of competition, Wot Chicks went head to head with Bossard, both teams tied at 2-2 when the breeze died completely forcing crews ashore early.

'We sat around for a few hours before racing was canned for the day. As we beat Bossard in the round robin we progressed to the finals. Clare Leroy also progressed to the finals as she won her semi 3-1,' said Spithill.

The weak wind was the protagonist on the last day of the XI International Women’s Criterium. Throughout Saturday the wind was lacklustre and in the end prevented the holding of the final leaving the results of the semi-finals and the earlier rounds to determine the final order.

As Leroy beat Spithill in the round robin the world’s best finished top of the pile yet again.

Katie’s famous brother James Spithill, helmsman for current AC challenger BMW Oracle Racing travelled south from Valencia to watch his sister win her final semi final race on day four – and to try and spot any chinks in Leroy’s armour. He spent a few hours with the team awaiting the final showdown, which never eventuated, before heading back to the Oracle base where he is currently training on the Extreme 40 catamarans.

Final results
1st Claire Leroy France
2nd Katie Spithill Australia
3rd Julie Bossard France
4th Lotte Meldgaard Pederson Denmark
5th Silke Hahlbrock Germany
6th Anna Kjellberg Sweden
7th Lucy Macgregor Great Britain
8th Marga Cameselle Spain
9th Linda Rahm Sweden
10th Debby Capozzi USA
11th Christelle Philippe France
12th Ascensión Roca de Togores Spain

Wot Chicks is proudly supported by Graeme Wood, founder of wotif.com, SLAM and Rudy Project.
XI International Women Match Race Criterium website: http://www.rcnc.es/