(By Lynn Fitzpatrick of World Regattas - www.WorldRegattas.com)

December 4, 2009 (Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, ISV) – Claire Leroy (FRA) and her Mermaids, who went undefeated in Round Robin 1 of the 2nd Annual Carlos Aguilar Memorial Match Race, lost their first and only race, thus far, to the other French team skippered by Juile Bossard.

The 2007 and 2008 Women’s World Match Racing Champion faced stiff competition against Liz Baylis (USA) and the Bossard team in the final two races of Round Robin 1. Leroy’s spectacular boat handling is a credit to her entire team, especially her foredeck crew, Claire Pruvot, who could gather the kite and drop it into the hatch faster than anyone.

Both French teams, Claire Leroy’s Mermaids and Julie Bossard’s team have been training in St. Thomas since November 22nd. Their rigorous training schedule has included two days of sailing followed by a day of sight seeing, swimming and snorkeling. Needless to say, they have had a thorough tour of St. Thomas.

Laurent Bregeon, the French coach, commented, “the conditions have been ideal for practicing. It has been the perfect way to transition into winter in France.” Leroy’s team is scheduled to return to North America for the Miami Olympic Classes Regatta, whereas, Bossard’s team may remain in France while Bossard finishes up school.

Bossard’s only handicap is her ankle, which is in a cast, yet it didn’t slow her down in the first flight of Round Robin 2. Bossard started at the pin end on port and Leroy went right from the committee boat. Leroy forced Bossard back to the left during the first cross. By playing the pressure and the lifts along the shore, Bossard went ahead and stayed ahead handing the Mermaids their first loss of the series.

Coach Bregeon was not surprised that Bossard beat Leroy. He confided, “She wins about one match in five against Claire.”

Claire Leroy came off the water with 11 flights completed and 10 wins to her credit. “Our strategy is to have good close matches. It has been nice to practice with Julie and her team. Julie used to crew for me and she is now on the helm. We have a good relationship and openly exchange information. It works very well.” Leroy and her team also practice with Sebastien Col and Mattieu Richard, who are top ranked skippers on the World Match Race Tour.

More action than you can imagine. Match racing, sea planes, ferries and much more in Charlotte Amalie Harbor.

Leroy leads the women going into the final three flights of Round Robin 2. Julie Bossard and Genny Tulloch are poised to go on to the Semi-finals. Saturday morning’s completion of Round Robin 2 will determine the other team that will continue to sail for the championship title while the others enjoy St. Thomas and the US Virgin Islands.

Women’s Grade 1 Results following a complete round robin one plus 4 flights of round robin 2:

Leroy (FRA) – 10 Wins - 1 Losses
Tulloch (USA) – 8W - 3L
Bossard (FRA) – 7W - 4L
Lovell (USA) – 7W - 4L
Baylis (USA) – 5W - 5L
Decnop (BRA) – 4W - 7L (-0.5 points for damage)
O’Brien-Uszenski (ISV) – 2W - 9L
Ramires (POR) – 0W - 11L

For regatta information, please visit www.carlosmatchrace.com