The Swiss Sailing Women’s League has completed the preliminary round. The fourteen teams that can take part in the final round in Kreuzlingen have been determined.
Text: Walter Rudin
Women show much more interest in regattas when they are among themselves. This also explains the success of the Women’s League. 21 teams wanted to take part in the Women’s League when it was launched last season. Because all teams had to compete in the same group in the two acts, they had to make do with little sailing time. This season is different. It comprises five acts and the participants are divided into an east and a west group. Two acts each have already been sailed.
The four preliminary events offered very different wind conditions. Group West was much better served with a total of 38 races. Right from the start in Biel, where both groups held their first act over the extended Ascension weekend, some were lucky, others unlucky. Group West was able to complete a record 18 runs on Thursday in black breezes. Group East, on the other hand, only managed a few races in Biel. Unfortunately, this did not change in Act 2 in wonderfully warm but unfortunately windless weather on Lake Sempach. In contrast, the West Group once again found the best conditions on Lake Geneva at the end of the preliminary round in Morges and was able to complete another eighteen races.
Clear favorites
Marlène Rump, responsible for the women’s events of the Swiss Sailing League, expressed her satisfaction after the preliminary round: “Overall, the 21 teams put in a great performance and the many training sessions and camps have paid off. The participants learn a lot at these regattas and always take a lot of homework with them. What makes me particularly happy is that even the teams at the lower end of the ranking list don’t lose their motivation and desire to improve.”
The level between the two groups was relatively even, but there were major differences within the group. The top teams in both the east and west groups clearly stood out from the midfield. The middle ranks were exciting. Which seven teams would qualify for the final remained largely open until the end. The final round will be held on September 7 and 8 in Kreuzlingen on Lake Constance. Next year, the women’s teams will be divided into a Women’s Challenge League and a Women’s Super League.