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3 June 2005, 09:35 am

BJÖRLING On Top

BoatU.S. Santa Maria Cup 2005

Annapolis, USA

Marie BJÖRLING (SWE) has continued her good start to the ISAF Grade 1 BoatU.S. Santa Maria Cup International Women's Match Racing Regatta in Annapolis, USA. Behind her ISAF World Match Race Rankings' leader Claire LEROY (FRA) is edging ever closer.

LEROY overtook BJÖRLING to claim the top spot in the last Ranking's release of the 4 May and the competition here in Annapolis is increasingly turning into a battle between the two.

BJÖRLING finished the first round robin with a perfect 9-0 score, but the start of round robin two did not go quite as smoothly. Losses to Paula LEWIN (BER), Christelle PHILIPPE (FRA) and LEROY have slowed the progress of BJÖRLING, who won here back in 1992. LEROY also has had a relatively slow start to the second round robin after going down to Liz BAYLIS (USA) and Charlie ARMS (USA).

After a strong start to the competition, 2004 ISAF Women's Match Racing World Champion, Sally BARKOW (USA), faded somewhat yesterday, losing to both LEROY and BJÖRLING to end the day in fifth on 8-6. Her American counterpart, and runner up in the World Championship, Betsy ALISON, fared better with a 8-2 record for the ten flights sailed yesterday, putting her fourth overall.

LEWIN, has continued her good form and is tied in second with LEROY on 10-4.

The second round robin continues today and will decide the four semi finalists, whilst racing concludes in Annapolis tomorrow.

Standings
(After 14 of 18 scheduled flights)

1. Marie BJÖRLING (SWE),11-3
2. Claire LEROY (FRA), 10-4
T. Paula LEWIN (BER), 10-4
4. Betsy ALISON (USA), 9-5
5. Sally BARKOW (USA), 8-6
6. Liz BAYLIS (USA), 6-8
T. Christelle PHILIPPE (FRA), 6-8
8. Jenny AXHEDE (SWE), 5-9
9. Charlie ARMS (USA), 4-10
10. Linda HÄRSJÖ (SWE), 1-13