From 1-6 August, the Lysekil Women’s Match will see the best match racing women in the world fight it out for the Stena Bulk Trophy 2006, worth 400,000 SEK (£30,000) in prize money, in the Swedish seaside town of Lysekil.

In its first year, the 2004 event attracted sailors from all over the world and was visited by 25-30,000 spectators.

Among the twelve match racing champions invited this year is French sailor Claire Leroy, ranked first in the world ranking of match racing and Swedish sailor Marie Björling, ranked second. Björling won the Lysekil Women’s Match 2004 as well as the biggest prize sum ever in women’s match racing history (100,000 SEK – £7,500).

Björling said: “It was a really well organised event and we are so happy to see it back. Lysekil is a fantastic arena and you have to sail really close to the rocks. Last time there were a lot of spectators sitting on the rocks. It is always great to sail with such a big audience.”

Organiser Anna Holmdahl adds: “By using the fantastic environment and conditions we have in the Swedish archipelago, we want to create the world’s premier race for women. In the centre of Lysekil we will have a lot of extra activities for the public during the week.”