Ulrikkeholm, Mulder, Bezel and Björling Duell to semi
– challenging conditions with light winds in Lysekil Women’s Match

With 12 victories each in the double round-robin in Lysekil Women’s Match, Dane Camilla Ulrikkeholm and Mandy Mulder from Holland secured their slots in the semi-final. 21 years old surprise Alexa Bezel, Switzerland, won 11 matches for the third semi-final slot, while home sailor Marie Björling Duell didn’t get there until winning the last match of the round-robin, against fellow Swede Caroline Sylvan.

But that wasn’t enough. To secure her semi-final slot Björling was also depending on the result in the match between Sally Barkow, USA, and Silvia Roca Mata, Spain. A victory for the American in that match, and she would have advanced to the semi-final instead of the Swede. But the match began in the worst possible way for Barkow, who was penalized twice before the starting signal, and then also forced over the starting line too early.
– Having to turn back to start again is bad enough in as light conditions as we had today, and on top of that we immediately had to take one of the penalties. After that we had no speed at all, while Silvia sailed away in free wind. We tried everything we could to close the gap, but it just wasn’t possible, says Barkow, also thinking that they maybe deserved this after not preparing themselves good enough.
– Flying in too late and missing the practising session is not the best way to prepare for an event like this.

For Alexa Bezel Lysekil Women’s Match is her first Grade 1 event, but that hasn’t stopped her from beating many established and more experienced sailors.
– There are thousands of things we have to work on, but no really big issues. I’m very happy with the teamwork, the boathandling and the tactics, she says, though admitting that she would like not to have too light winds for the semis.

As winner of the round-robin Camilla Ulrikkeholm has the favour of choosing her opponent for the semi-final, which will be done at the skippers meeting Saturday morning.
– We will have to discuss that in the crew, she says without revealing anything.

Results after a double round-robin in Lysekil Women’s Match. The top four advances to the semi-finals, to be sailed Saturday morning. The final to be sailed Saturday afternoon. Place/name/nationality/victories/lost matches:
1. Camilla Ulrikkeholm, DEN, 12 – 4
2. Mandy Mulder, NED, 12 – 4
3. Alexa Bezel, SUI, 11 – 5
4. Marie Björling Duell, SWE, 10 – 6

5. Sally Barkow, USA, 9 – 7
6. Caroline Sylvan, SWE, 6 – 10
7. Silvia Roca Mata, ESP, 5 – 11
8. Petra Kliba, CRO, 4 – 12
9. Anna Kjellgren, SWE, 3 – 13

Lysekil Women’s Match is with a 300 000 SEK (45 000 USD) prize purse the largest yearly event for women match racing sailors, concerning the mix of spectators, publicity and prize money. In match racing the crews meet two by two in exciting duels that can easily be followed and understood by the spectators.
Ten of the world’s leading women match racing sailors participates in the seventh issue of Lysekil Women’s Match, August 6-11 2012, arranged by Sailnet Lysekil AB in cooperation with Lysekils SS Gullmar.

Main sponsor for Lysekil Women’s Match is Preem. Midroc, Phonera, Musto, Svitzer and Liros are partners, and the municipality of Lysekil host city.

For more information including news and photos:
www.lysekilwomensmatch.se
www.facebook.com/lysekilwomensmatch