(Written by Antonio Glez. de la Madrid, RCNC)

With five wins in a row defending champion Klaartje ZUIDERBAAN (NED) hit the front of the ISAF Grade 1 International Women Match Race Criterium. A second day of good winds saw the round robin finished, with the favourites still dominating proceedings in Calpe, Spain,

The day begun with the unexpected visit as Henry MENIN (ISV), chair of the ISAF Match Racing Committee, dropped into the Real Club Náutico Calpe. He had a friendly chat with all the competitors before the skipper’s meeting before the serious business of racing got underway. The flights started at 11:00 with an easterly wind that allowed the full round robin to be completed.

After wining five matches in a row for a 10-1 record, world #3 ZUIDERBAAN leads the scoring table. Following her are two Danish skippers. World #2 Lotte MELDGAARD PEDERSEN (DEN) and last year’s runner up Nina BRAESTRUP (DEN) are tied on 8-3 records but BRAESTRUP holds the advantage, having beaten her compatriot in an exciting match.

The high level of the event was demonstrated by the fact that the leader of the ISAF World Match Race Rankings Claire LEROY (FRA) only managed to finish in fourth place in the round robin. In her first visit to the International Women Match Racing Criterium, Katie SPITHILL (AUS) has impressed the everyone with her ability and currently lies fifth overall and is the only crew who has beaten the leader ZUIDERBAAN.

For tomorrow the Race Committee plan to sail at the best of three semi-finals and a round robin to decide places five to eight. The final and petit-final will follow.

Event website: http://www.rcnc.es/pages/regatas/criterium2007/indexcriterium2007.htm