(Submitted by David Campbell James, Event Director)

Claire Leroy, ISAF Sailor of the Year 2007 and number one in the World Women’s match race rankings, sailed almost faultlessly this weekend to win the Women’s match racing final this weekend. It was a top quality field with no less than six of the top ten ranked females in the World competing.

A delight to watch the French team smoothly executed the rest of the field without losing a race over the entire weekend. Last year’s winner Silja Lehtinen (FIN) put up a good fight too but couldn’t overcome the French.

The event was held over 3 days. Friday was particularly difficult with huge gusts from a range of directions resulting in dramatic broaches and several of the girls found themselves swimming in the icy waters of Queen Mary Sailing Club.

Linda Rahm (SWE) and Lucy MacGregor (GBR) also reached the semi finals. MacGregor had some extremely tough battles and, once she improves her boat handling, will be a force to reckon with in the future.

MacGregor also qualified over the weekend to represent Great Britain in the ISAF Nations Cup.

Silja Lehtinen said that despite losing to Claire, she had always really enjoyed the RYA Match Racing weekends and hoped very much that the event would attract a new sponsor in order for it to continue next year. She now continues her preparation for the 2008 Olympics in the Yngling class.

All eyes are now looking forward to the Grand Final in two weeks time where the winners and runners up from the qualifiers over this winter will battle it out for the overall title.


1. Claire Leroy (FRA), Morgane Gautier, Claire Peuvot, Elodie Bertrand, Marcie Riou
2. Silja Lehtinen (FIN), Erica Backstrom, Maria Kiemetz, Vivi Fleming-Lehtinen, Livia Varesmaa
3. Linda Rahm (SWE), Helena Barne, Marie O’’berg, Lotta Harrysson, Annika Olsson
4. Lucy MacGregor( GBR), Annie Lush, Mary Rook, Sue Monson, Sophie Esson
5. Jenny Axhede (SWE), Nina Bake, Johanna Sarnia, Malin Svedmyr, Annika Carlunger
6. Camilla Ulrikkeholm (DEN), Christel Jappe Teglers, Nathalia Nyeland, Signe Fabricius Eggenksen, Joan Vestergaard Hansen
7. Silke Hahlbrock (GER), Maren Hahlbrock, Marian Rammed, Kerstin Schult, Jody Slater
8. Gemma Farrell (GBR), Lucy Burn, Imogen Wellington, Charlotte Laurence, Lauren Matel
9. Josie Gibson (GBR) Jo Ryley, Bex Marriot, Barbara Watson, Rachel Larman
10. Lotte Meldgaard Pederson (DEN), Christina Refu, Inge Ebbensgoard, Kristina Stenstrom, Mia Nielson