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9 August 2007, 04:49 pm

Quarter-Finalists Decided In St Quay

Klaartje ZUIDERBAAN, pictured racing in Calpe Bay at the Women's Criterium, won the Repechage today

©Victor Villalba

ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship 2007

St Quay Portrieux, France

After another beautiful sailing day in St Quay Portrieux, the quarter-final line up for the ISAF Women's Match Racing World Championship has been decided. The tie of the round pits world #1 and home favourite Claire LEROY (FRA) against world #3 Silke HAHLBROCK (GER).

Day three of the ISAF Women's Match Worlds was another stunning day of sailing at the Sport Nautique de Saint Quay-Portrieux in France. The top four skippers from the opening round robin had already qualified for the quarter-finals and so took a break today, leaving the remaining eight to battle for the last four quarter-final slots.

Twenty-eight matches were sailed in fabulous conditions, with bright sunshine and a sea breeze of 12-14 knots. Hundreds of spectators lined the shore to watch some superb boat handling and tactical exchanges.

World #4 Klaartje ZUIDERBAAN (NED) had a disappointing 4-7 score after the opening round robin, but bounced back today with a 6-1 scoreline to win the Repechage Round. Surprisingly ZUIDERBAAN, one of the most experienced skippers on the women's match racing circuit, has never skippered in an ISAF Graded event in St Quay before, but she showed she is now right up to speed in the First Class 8 type boats.

New Zealand's Jessica SMYTH, at #16 the lowest Ranked skipper coming into the event, was also on form today and took second place with a 6-1 score (she lost in her match against ZUIDERBAAN). The other quarter-final places went to France's Christelle PHILIPPE and German young gun HAHLBROCK.

Tomorrow the quarter-finals get underway. The top finisher from the opening round robin meets fourth place from the repechage, second in the round robin goes against third in the repechage etc. This sets up an intriguing clash between LEROY, still unbeaten at her home club, and world #3 HAHLBROCK, whilst the other eye-catching tie pits world #2 Lotte MELDGAARD PEDERSEN (DEN) against world #4 Klaartje ZUIDERBAAN (NED).

Wednesday's surprise package Josie GIBSON (GBR) will face Christelle PHILIPPE (FRA), whilst Oceania is guaranteed of a semi-final spot as Katie SPITHILL (AUS) matches up against Jessica SMYTH (NZL).

Racing concludes in St Quay on Saturday when the 2007 ISAF Women's Match Racing World Champion will be decided.

Results

Repechage

1. Klaartje ZUIDERBAAN (NED), 6-1
2. Jessica SMYTH (NZL), 6-1
3. Christelle PHILIPPE (FRA), 5-2
4. Silke HAHLBROCK (GER), 4-3
5. Jenny AXHEDE (SWE), 2-5
6. Nicky SOUTER (AUS), 2-5
7. Gemma FARRELL (GBR), 2-5
8. Sandy HAYES (USA), 1-6

Round Robin

1. Claire LEROY (FRA), 11-0
2. Josie GIBSON (GBR), 9-2
3. Katie SPITHILL (AUS), 7-4
4. Lotte MELDGAARD PEDERSEN (DEN), 7-4
5. Christelle PHILIPPE (FRA), 6.5-4
6. Silke HAHLBROCK (GER), 6-5
7. Jessica SMYTH (NZL), 5-6
8. Klaartje ZUIDERBAAN (NED), 4-7
9. Jenny AXHEDE (SWE), 4-7
10. Nicky SOUTER (AUS), 3-8
11. Gemma FARRELL (GBR), 3-8
12. Sandy HAYES (USA), 0-11