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Sunday, 16 October 2005 |
Marie Björling wins Ladies Marie
Björling from Sweden claims yet another title in the run up to the
World Championships. Marie Björling and her Team Schenker claimed the
International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Grade 3 Ladies Nordic Match
Race Championship in Gåshaga, Stockholm over the weekend with a victory
in the final over 2003 ISAF Women's Match Racing World Champion Malin
Millbourn. This win gives Marie Björling her third victory of the year
and her second of the month, and it was just a few days before the
start of her challenge at the Virtual Spectator ISAF Women's Match
Racing World Championship.
The
event, organized by Gamla Stans Yacht Sällskap, was held in sunny
weather in Gåshaga, with 14 crews from Scandinavia gathered to fight
for the title in Stockholm Match Race Centre's six new J92s. The
competitors were divided into two groups, with the first racing on
Saturday beginning in five knots of breeze, which increased slightly as
the day went on.
In Group A fellow Swedish sailor Malin
Svedmyr showed great form and won five of her matches. Both Malin
Svedmyr and local sailor Helena Strömberg, defeated Marie Björling, a
favourite to win which came as a real surprise. However Marie Björling
still managed to proceed to the semis, and just edged through after
finishing tied with Camilla Ulrikkeholm from Denmark on four victories.
The semi finals were sailed in strong wind, up to 24 knots.
Marie Björling won over Nina Braestrup, 2-0, but both were really tight
matches and with Marie Björling less than one metre ahead in the second
race. In the other semi final Malin Svedmyr gave Malin Millbourn.a
difficult afternoon taking the series to a third match. However, Malin
Millbourn managed to force Malin Svedmyr into a penalty in the
pre-start and stayed cool when Malin Svedmyr attacked during the race
to take her place in the final.
As time was running out the
decision was made to sail first to a point to decide the title. Marie
Björling started a little better just windward of Malin Millbourn.
During the race no more than two boat lengths ever separated both the
teams, although Marie Björling was able to maintain the lead. Crossing
the finishing line Team Schenker was just one boat length ahead, but it
was still enough for them to take the title.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 19 October 2005 )
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