“We won the Nokia Oops Cup Trimaran event last year and this certainly whetted our appetite,” said the chief sponsors Ulf Ryder, MD Stena Bulk and Hans Norén, MD Concordia Maritime. “For us, an event connected with the sea is a natural sponsorship choice for our companies. The fact that the event is taking place in Lysekil on Sweden's west coast means that not only our customers but also a large number of our employees will be able to enjoy the competitions.”
Lysekil
This is the second time the Lysekil Women's Match will be staged, the first time being in 2004. It proved to be a great success and was much appreciated by the almost 30 000 spectators. The races start right in the middle of Lysekil, at Kyrkeviksbukten, just off Havets Hus and south of Havsbadsparken. The rocky outcrops at nearby Släggös provide spectators with a grandstand view.
Match Racing
As a rule, a race entails sailing twice round the course, starting with tacking (in headwind) and finishing with a following wind. Speed is not important but being first across the finishing line is! Each match takes just 20 to 25 minutes, but this means the competition is that much more intensive, with fast tactical decisions and smart team strategy being decisive factors.
Participants
12 leading Match Racing women will be taking part, including Claire Leroy, the world number one and the three Swedes, Marie Björling, Linda Rahm and Malin Millbourn.
- Claire Leroy (1) FRA World number one, placed second in Lysekil Women's Match 2004
- Marie Björling (2) SWE WM silver medallist, four WM silver medals, winner of Swedish Match Cup 3 years in a row (2002-2004), winner Lysekil Women's Match 2004
- Klaartje Zuiderbaan (3) NED Fifth in WM, she is currently Holland's brightest Match Racing hope
- Linda Rahm (7) SWE Third in WM, won first Round Robin in Lysekil Women's Match 2004
- Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen (10) DEN EM-gold and WM-silver 2003, fourth in WM 2006
- Malin Millbourn (13) SWE WM-gold 2003, winner of Swedish Match Cup at Marstrand 2005
- Jessica Smyth (15) NYZ Clearly New Zealand's leading match racing exponent, making an intensive effort in Europe this summer
- Josephine Gibson (16) GBR Young rising star from the UK with many years experience in dinghy racing
- Guilia Conti (19) ITA From Italy, and another whose 470 and Match Racing star is in the ascendancy
- Camilla Ulrikkeholm (22) DEN Best young female sailor in Denmark, 1997; now a member of Team CU in Skovshoved, Denmark
- Martina Karlemo (25) FIN Finnish champion 2000 and 2005, bronze winner of the Nordic Championships in 2005
- Ulrike Firk (30) GER Silver medallist in last year's International German Championship, Hamburg and this year's sole German participant
(Figures in a parentheses – ISAF World Match Rankings)
The competition
The Preem Lysekil Women's Match for the Stena Bulk Trophy is being organised by Sailnet Lysekil AB and Live Göteborg in collaboration with Lysekil SS Gullmar (LSSG) sailing club. The official host is Preem; main sponsors are Stena Bulk and Concordia Maritime. Partners are Carpe Diem Beds of Sweden, Midroc Scandinavia and the Lysekil Town Council.
Program for the week – LWM, 2006
Every day (approximate times depending on wind)
09.30-12.15 Races
13.00-17.00 Races
11.00-18.00 Event area
10.00-20.00 Match Race Restaurant
16.45 Cook duel in Match Race Restaurant, AfterSail with live music, Fashion show at Scenen with Newhouse
17.30 Press conference for the general public directly after the races
22-02 Sailors Nightclub at Havsbadet
Tuesday 1/8
18.00 opening ceremony in Havsbadsparken, Edith Backlund sings and plays
Wednesday 2/8
9.30- 17.00 Round Robin races 12.15-13.00 Lunch program 20.00 Concert with Nationalteatern in Havsbadsparken) – FREE
Thursday
3/8 9.30-17.00 Round Robin races continue
12.00-13.30 Lunch program: ProAm Race
20.00 Concert with Agnes in Havsbadsparken – FREE
Friday 4/8 - Family day
9.30-17.00 Round Robin races
12.15-13.00 Lunch program with Search and Rescue
20.00 Concert with BWO in Havsbadsparken – FREE
Saturday 5/8
9.30-17.00 quarterfinals and first semifinal 12.15-13.00 Lunch program
Sunday 6/8
10-16.00 second semifinal and final 16.30 Press conference, Havsbadsparken 18.00- Prize ceremony, Havsbadsparken
For further information, please log on to: www.lysekilwomensmatch.se
For high-resolution photos from the 2004 event, please log on to: http://www.lysekilwomensmatch.se/page/50/bilder.htm
For more information, please call Mr Ulf Ryder, president and CEO of Stena Bulk, +46 704 85 50 01