Bermuda International Women's Match Racing Championship - Day 3: Four Skippers Advance To Semi-Final Round; Lewin Remains Undefeated

HAMILTON, BERMUDA (October 20, 2003) – Leading the way into tomorrow’s semi-final round of the Bermuda International Women's Match Race Championship is Bermuda’s Paula Lewin/Team ACE, who remains undefeated and will have her choice of opponents among three skippers: Sweden’s Jenny Axhede/Team Panorama, Sally Barkow/Team Seven and Elizabeth Kratzig/Team Kaenon (both USA).

Bermuda's Paula Lewin shouts instruction to her crew as she leads Klaartje Zuiderbanne of the Netherlands's during day three of the Investors Guaranty presentation of the King Edward VII Gold Cup 2003, Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Hamilton, Bermuda. Oct, 20th. 2003. 2003 Photo © Sergio Dionisio / Oceanfashion Pictures / Swedish Match Tour

"This is such a treat," said Lewin. "The sailing has been terrific so far. It’s been a great three days and we have more matches to look forward to tomorrow." Lewin would not disclose whom she would choose as her semi-final round opponent. The winner of each ‘first-to-three’ semi-final match will race against each other in the final where a $15,000 prize purse is at stake.

Axhede, who is new to this event, but not match racing, may hold the biggest surprise for Lewin based on the unknown factor. The two have never met on the water before the start of this regatta. "We’re very happy to be advancing," said Anika Carlunger on behalf of Axhede. "We look forward to sailing any of the other sailors. We’ve been pleased with our tactics, but we still have a lot to learn and plan to keep learning tomorrow."

Kratzig, who counts two Rolex Yachtswomen of the Year as crew – Cory Sertl and Jody Swanson – improved her crew work over the past three days of racing and now finds herself in impressive company. "I’m shocked," said Kratzig. "I have a great team. If I can get off the starting line a little better tomorrow, we might do very well."

The fourth and final advancer is Barkow, a two-time college All-American. "We’re very pleased with our performance. We had a tight race with Betsy (Alison) today and almost didn’t make it. She led us at the start, but we were able to catch her downwind and get ahead. We took her past the layline, but then Debbie (Capozzi) fell of and I had to pull her back on." Barkow managed to gain enough speed, despite hanging onto her crew, and pull off the win.

The winner and runner-up will advance to round one of the Investors Guaranty™ Presentation of the King Edward VII Gold Cup (October 22-26), the second event of the Swedish Match Tour 2003/04, where they will compete for another $100,000 in prize money.

In the unseeded qualifier for the Investors Guaranty™ Presentation of the King Edward VII Gold Cup, six skippers advanced into Round One against the seeded skippers. In Group 1, Cameron Dunn (NZL), who will face #5 seed Russell Coutts/Team Alinghi (SWI); Staffan Lindberg/Team Henri-Lloyd (FIN), who will face #4 seed Peter Gilmour/Pizza-La Sailing Team (AUS); and Paolo Cian/Riviera di Rimini Sailing Team (ITA), who will face #1 seed and defending champion Jesper Radich/Team Radich (DEN). In Group 2, the top three skippers to advance are Ed Baird/Team XL Capital (USA), who will face #6 seed Dean Barker/Team New Zealand’s Omega Match Racing Team (NZL); Bill Hardesty/Team Hardesty (USA), who will face #3 seed Peter Holmberg/Team Gramicci (USVI); and Peter Bromby/Team ACE (BER), who will face #2 seed Jes Gram-Hansen/Team Colorcraft (DEN). Racing is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, October 22.

Title sponsor of the King Edward VII Gold Cup is Investors Guaranty™. The event is hosted by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and the Bermuda Department of Tourism. Renaissance Reinsurance is the Presenting Sponsor. Primary Sponsors are Bacardi, Colorcraft, Continental Airlines, Coral Beach & Tennis Club, Horizons Resort, Oleander Cycles, Omega, The Waterloo House and Wedgwood.

BERMUDA INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S MATCH RACING CHAMPIONSHIP

Final Results: Day 3, October 20, Round Robin:

Skipper, Hometown, Points
1. Paula Lewin/Team ACE (BER), 7 points*
2. Jenny Axhede/Team Panorama (SWE) 5*
3. Sally Barkow/Team Seven (USA), 4*
4. Elizabeth Kratzig/Team Kaenon (USA), 3
5. Deborah Willits (USA) 3
6. Betsy Alison (USA) 2.5
7. Klaartje Zuiderbaan (NED) 2
8. Sandy Hayes (USA) 1

*Advance to Semi-Final Round

Round Robin Results:

Flight 5
B. Alison def. S. Hayes
P. Lewin def. D. Willits
K. Zuiderbaan def E. Kratzig
J. Axhede S. Barkow def.

Flight 6
E. Kratzig def. B Alison
D. Willits def. S. Barkow
S. Hayes def. K. Zuiderbaan
P. Lewin def. J. Axhede

Flight 7
K. Zuiderbaan def. D. Willits
B Alison def. J. Axhede
S. Barkow def. S. Hayes
P. Lewin def. def E. Kratzig