JPMorgan Asset Management Winter Challenge Womens Final

Finland’s Silja Lehtinen wins the JPMorgan Asset Management Winter Challenge Women’s Final © Paul Wyeth / JPMorgan Asset Management / RYA

Finland’s Silja Lehtinen wins the JPMorgan Asset Management Winter Challenge Women’s Final © Paul Wyeth / JPMorgan Asset Management / RYA

Finland’s Silja Lehtinen wins the JPMorgan Asset Management Winter Challenge Women’s Final © Paul Wyeth / JPMorgan Asset Management / RYA

Finland’s Lehtinen secures victory at JPMorgan Asset Management Winter Challenge Women’s Final

Last weekend (23-25 February) saw fifty of the world’s top women’s match racers descend on Queen Mary’s Sailing Club in Staines for the JPMorgan Asset Management Winter Challenge Women’s final.

Expectations were high for world number one Claire Leroy (FRA), who is the only woman to have secured a place in the grand final in March, yet it was the outsiders, led by fifteenth ranked Silja Lehtinen (FIN) that stole the show, securing the title away from the event favourite.

Claire Leroy (FRA) qualified for the semi final with ease during the round robin series, along with the Finnish entry, Silja Lehtinen. Also securing their places in the semi-final were world number two Lotte Petersen (DEN) and Swedish national champion Jenny Axhedle.

After the round robin, Britain’s Gemma Farrell ranked world number twelve fought hard against world number three Klaarte Zuiderbaan (DEN), as they battled it out for 5th and 6th place overall, with the British team gaining victory in the end.

The semi-finals saw an easy race for the event favourite Leroy, as her team sailed into the final round. However the Finnish and Swedish entries pushed each other on the water, forcing a 4th match for the Finnish team to secure their place against the French in the final.

The first match of the final saw the Finns hold the French out to windward of the start line, meaning both teams had to raise their spinnakers to get back across the start. However, this delay caused complications for Leroy (FRA), who, when turning to cross the line, was impeded by the 3rd/4th race sail off match, giving Lehtinen (FIN) a unique chance which she grabbed with open arms to win the race. In the second match of the final Leroy narrowly led off the line but Lehtinen was close on their heels after a strong start. She soon overhauled the French and despite a determined attack, Leroy could not regain her lead.

The third match was close but Lehtinen sailing with Erica Backstrom, Livis Varesmaa, Vivi Felming and Maria Klemerz were on a winning streak and their determination saw them take the title. At 15th in the Women’s World match race rankings; this was a significant victory against the world number one. A happy Lehtinen commented at the prize giving, “we are delighted to win and would like to thank the sponsors, JPMorgan Asset Management, the organisers and umpires for all their hard work and support”. Roger Thompson, Head of Finance of JPMorgan Asset Management, gave out the prizes.

The series culminates with the Grand Final on 9-11 March. The qualifiers have featured many teams from the top of the World Match Race rankings with sailors representing twelve different nations. The teams through to the final have had to fight hard for their places, with several lesser-ranked match racers beating the top teams to secure their chance to become the overall winners of the series.

Overall Results:

1. Silja Lehtinen (FIN), Erica Backstrom, Livis Varesmaa, Vivi Felming and Maria Klemerz
2. Claire Leroy (FRA) Celine Devaux, Ophelie Theron, Elodie Bertrand, Morgane Gautiere
3. Lotte Meldgaard Pedersen (DEN), Trine Pallerdan, Inge Ebbensgaard, Christina Refu, Nina Grunow
4. Jenny Axhede (SWE), Nin Bake, Johanna Sarna, Elin Aderman, Annika Carkinger
5. Gemma Farrell (GBR), Lucy Burn, Imogen Wellington, Rebecca Spelman Marriott, Rachel Howe
6. Klaartje Zuiderbaan (NED), Florence van Mierlo, Vicky Lenz, KAtherlyn de Bruijne, Trijntie Zuiderbaan
7. Camilla Ulrikkeholm (DEN), Christel Teglers, Nathalia Nyeland, Trine Voss, Joan Vestergaard Hansen
8. Josie Gibson (GBR), Barbara Watson, Rachel Larman, Lizzie Chellow, Jo Ryley
9. Mary O’Loughlin (IRL), Karena Knaggs, Emma McDonald, Niamu McDonald, Laura Fitzpatrick
10. Katie Archer (GBR), Hannah Kemla, Vicky Rawlinson, Sheena Craig, Sophie Essen

Future Events:

Final (9-11 March)

The Winter Challenge Series is part of JPMorgan Asset Management’s commitment to world-class sailing in the UK. In addition to extending its title sponsorship of the Round the Island Race to 2010, the company are now sponsors of Ben Ainslie and Shirley Robertson, Britain’s two double Olympic gold medallists.