(Written by Josefine ÅS.)

Linda RAHM (SWE) is in pole position at the ISAF Grade 1 Preem Lysekil Women’s Match in Sweden, leading defending champion Lotte MELDGAARD PEDERSEN (DEN) 2-0 in their first-to-three semi-final match. The other semi is all square, with Marie BJÖRLING (SWE) and Katie SPITHILL (AUS) tied at 1-1.

Twelve of the world’s top women match racers are in Lysekil where the 2007 title will be decided tomorrow. Currently RAHM is hot favourite to line up in the battle for the Stena Bulk Trophy; after winning the opening round robin she qualified from the quarter-finals and now is just one win away from victory in her semi-final match against MELDGAARD PEDERSEN.

BJÖRLING, who won the first Lysekil Women’s Match back in 2004, won her opening semi-final match against SPITHILL, but the young Australian skipper battled back to level at 1-1.

Earlier in the week RAHM, MELDGAARD PEDERSEN and BJÖRLING topped the round robin leaderboard, all with 8-3 records and went through to the quarter-final along with SPITHILL, Malin MILLBOURN (SWE) and Jenny AXHEDE (SWE). In a very close battle for the semi-final places, RAHM, MELDGAARD PEDERSEN, SPITHILL and BJÖRLING went through, all on 3-2 records.

Other places:
5. Jenny Axhede, SWE
6. Malin Millbourn, SWE
7. Silja Lehtinen, FIN
8. Nina Braestrup, DEN
9. Liz Baylis, USA
10. Silke Hahlbrock, GER
11. Camilla Ulrikkeholm, DEN
12. Delphine Casas, FRA

For more information, please visit www.lysekilwomensmatch.se