Alison, Icyda and Leech Beat 88 Boat Fleet to Take The Title

The final day of the 2003 Yngling Open World Championship dawned cool and clear, but once again, light winds dominated the race area.

The Race Committee set a long course (three windward/leeward) for the 10:30 start, and got the fleet off on the third start attempt under the black flag. Russian sailor, Ekaterina SKUDINA led the fleet around the course from the top mark on followed by Paula LEWIN of Bermuda. Both those teams made a big jump in the overall final standings. The racing was close with shifts gracing the course. Sharon FERRIS from New Zealand took third in the race, with Hannah SWETT fourth, Nadine STEGENWALNER (GER) fifth and Betsy ALISON sixth across the line.

Going into the final day’s racing, Alison and Team Challenge US led the fleet in scoring with Swett eight points back tied even with Christoph SKOLAUT of Austria. There was a gap of almost 20 points back to fourth and beyond.

After race 7 was complete, Skolaut dropped back to eighth overall with a 42 place finish. The final race, if held, would be a contest primarily between Alison and Swett (Alison holding a 6 point advantage), with Ferris within striking distance. The first race of the day was completed just after 13:00 with the wind shifting big to the right. The Race Committee had to realign the course because of shipping channels, and by the time this was completed, they were close to the deadline for starting another race. With the breeze continually shifting and time running out, the RC decided to abandon any further racing securing victory for Betsy ALISON, Lee ICYDA and Suzy LEECH. It was the first time in the history of the Yngling Open World Championship that an all female crew have won.

Now that the Yngling is an Olympic class for the women, the level of competition has stepped up in the class. The first seven places in this year’s championship were taken by women’s teams from 6 different countries all vying for Athens in 2004. Only 3 male or mixed crews placed in the top 20 teams. The next Open Worlds will be held in Sydney, Australia in January 2004.

Overall Top Ten#