The world cup sailing event Lysekil Women’s Match will be held for the fourth year in a row in Lysekil on 29 July – 2 August with Stena Bulk and Preem as the main sponsors. The competition is the world’s largest match racing event for women with prize money of about SEK 400,000. For 2009, Lysekil Women’s Match has been awarded world championship status in competition with such Meccas of sailing as American Newport and Spanish Vigo, something that will undoubtedly enhance the prestige of this year’s races.
Twelve of the world’s top-ranked match racing crews have been invited and the current world champion, Clair Leroy from France, and world number two Meldgaard Pedersen from Denmark have announced their participation. Sweden will be represented by last year’s winner Linda Rahm, Team Stena Bulk, Jenny Axhede and Anna Kjellberg, all with the ambition to defend the Swedish colours.
“Together with Preem, we have taken an active interest in the races in Lysekil since they began four years ago. In addition, Stena Bulk will be sponsoring Linda Rahm and her crew for the second year in a row. This will make the event extra exciting as Linda won last summer and is thus the title defender. The races have been a resounding success with the public and we are looking forward to some fantastic match racing”, says Ulf G. Ryder, President and CEO of Stena Bulk AB.
“Our activities mean that we are closely linked with Lysekil and are thus naturally very much involved when it comes to supporting the races. We hope that they will attract as much interest as they have in the past and wish the participants and arrangers all the best”, adds Michael G:son Löw, President and CEO of Preem Petroleum AB.