Rungsted, Denmark (Friday 8 May) The 2026 Women’s World Match Racing Tour kicked off yesterday in Rungsted, Denmark on the opening day of the KDY Women’s Match Race, the first of five events on the 2026 Women’s World Tour season. Hosted by the Royal Danish Yacht Club, this event features 8 teams from France, Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands. The four-day format includes a double round robin qualifying stage, leading to the semi-finals and finals.
Defending Women’s Match Racing World Champion Pauline Courtois from France and her Match in Pink Normandy Elite Team finished the first day undefeated, winning all five of their races, establishing themselves as early favourites. In contrast, 2024 winner Anna Östling from Sweden and her WINGS Sailing Team had a slower start with three wins and two losses. Östling expressed optimism about their performance, stating, “It was a little up and down for us. But we had a good day, and we would rather make mistakes early in the event – we still have plenty of racing to go.”
Local team, the ‘Seagulls,’ skippered by Kristine Mauritzen, utilised their home advantage and knowledge of the DS37 boats to achieve four wins on the first day, placing just one point behind Courtois.
Racing continues through Sunday 10th May.
For more information on the KDY Women’s Match Race, visit https://womenswmrt.com/events/kdy-womens-match-race-2026/
For the image gallery, click here.
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