Wednesday, May 5, 2010

The world's best women match racers

The world's best women match racers are in Calpe, Spain, for the XII International Women Match Race Criterium

Calpe, May 5th , 2010 - Organized by the Real Club Nautico Calpe from 4 to 8 May, the XII International Women's Match Race Criterium gathers in the charming Spanish village the best specialist worldwide, occupying the top spots of the ISAF ranking list.

On the first day the eleven crew were welcomed at the Club's premises for the final registration and the sailors' weighing. Difficult weather conditions, heavy rain and cold temperature, characterized the preliminary training sessions during which the crews had nonetheless the chance to get to know better the Tom 28 boats that will be used for the racing.

The Opening ceremony was held at the Salón Belliure of Real Club Náutico Calpe at the presence of local authorities and skippers, including last years' winner Claire Leroy.

Reaching the twelfth edition, the Criterium Internacional is an ISAF Grade 1 event and proves to be one of the season's unmissable match-racing events, as confirmed by the presence of a top level lineup:

Skipper Nationality World Ranking
Claire LEROY France 2
Katie SPITHILL Australia 3
Anna TUNNICLIFFE United States 4
Silke HAHLBROCK Germany 5
Anne-Claire LE BERRE France 6
Klaartje ZUIDERBAAN*(OH 10) Netherland 10
Lotte MELDGAARD PEDERSEN Denmark 11
Camilla ULRIKKEHOLM Denmark 12
Samantha OSBORNE New Zealand 16
Margarita CAMESELLE Spain 40
Tamara ECHEGOYEN Spain 84

The event will consist of Round Robins, quarter finals, semi-finals and finals starting from today.

Her Royal Highness Infanta Doña Cristina is the honorary president of the regatta. http://www.rcnc.es/