(From the ISAF website: www.sailing.org)

Claire LEROY (FRA) has now held on to the world #1 spot in the Women’s Rankings for 20 consecutive Ranking releases, an incredible run that started way back in May 2005. The reigning ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Champion and the 2007 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year has also extended her lead over world #2 Lotte MELDGAARD PEDERSEN (DEN) up to 297 points.

However LEROY has not had it all own way in the last couple of months of the year. At the ISAF Grade 1 Brasil Women’s Cup at the start of November, Sally BARKOW (USA) got the better of the Frenchwomen in the final to win her third ISAF Grade 1 match racing regatta of the year. Whilst LEROY has been one of the most consistent and regular performers on the women’s circuit, BARKOW’s appearances have been more infrequent and interspersed with her Yngling Olympic campaign. However the American skipper has been no less impressive than her French counterpart, finishing on the podium in every one of the five ISAF Graded events she has entered. Despite only counting six of a possible eight events in her Ranking points total, she maintains her world #5 spot.

In fact, it’s a case of as you were in the top five, with Katie SPITHILL (AUS) and Christelle PHILIPPE (FRA) also remaining unmoved at #3 and #4 respectively.

The only significant change at the top sees another Yngling campaigner, Silja LEHTINEN (FIN) reclaim her spot in the world top ten. After winning the ISAF Grade 2 Ladies Only Match Race in Hamburg, LEHTINEN climbs up three places to #10. The move of notes comes from Brazil’s Caroline BEJAR, who gains four places up to #41 after her fifth place finish at the Brasil Sailing Cup. Laura SALERNO (ARG), who finished one place behind BEJAR in Brazil, is the first Argentinean to join the Women’s Rankings, going straight in at #116.

Women’s Rankings - www.sailing.org/mrwrankings
ISAF Events & World Rankings homepage - www.sailing.org/events