LEROY Wins Womenâ??s Match Worlds

Claire LEROY (FRA) defeated Katie SPITHILL (AUS) in the final to take the 2007 ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship title on her home waters in St Quay Portrieux.

The French world #1 skipper overcame SPITHILL 2-1 in the final, which was cut short due to a late start.

The wind initially refused to co-operate on the final day in St Quay Portrieux, but eventually a light 5 knot breeze kicked in and racing got underway. LEROY came back from 2-1 down to win her semi-final against world#2 Lotte MELDGAARD PEDERSEN (DEN) 3-2, whilst SPITHILL was 2-0 down before overcoming Josie GIBSON (GBR) by the same scoreline.

MELDGAARD PEDERSEN won the petit-final 2-0 to take the bronze medal, before LEROY won the decisive third match in the final.

Claire LEROY (FRA) d. Katie SPITHILL (AUS), 2-1

Lotte MELDGAARD PEDERSEN (DEN) d. Josie GIBSON (GBR), 2-0

Claire LEROY (FRA) d. Lotte MELDGAARD PEDERSEN (DEN), 3-2
Katie SPITHILL (AUS) d. Josie GIBSON (GBR), 3-2

Katie SPITHILL (AUS) d. Jessica SMYTH (NZL)
Claire LEROY (FRA) d. Silke HAHLBROCK (GER)
Lotte MELDGAARD PEDERSEN (DEN) d. Klaartje ZUIDERBAAN (NED)
Josie GIBSON (GBR) d. Christelle PHILIPPE (FRA)

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

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