“Britain’s sailors were greeted with big breeze on the opening day of the Delta Lloyd Regatta – the fifth leg of the ISAF Sailing World Cup Series – in Medemblik, Netherlands, on Wednesday (27 May). With winds consistently over 20 knots, and gusting in excess of 30 knots, most of the 11 classes competing were unable to complete their racing schedule on the first day of this five-day event – but where racing was possible, Skandia Team GBR’s sailors held firm.

In the women’s match racing event – the newest Olympic discipline, incorporated into the World Cup series for only the second time here in Holland – the full complement of races was possible, with Lucy Macgregor, Annie Lush and Ally Martin leading the British charge.

With two wins out of three matches, they’re poised in fifth place and were pleased with their opening day performance.

“We got round the course pretty well, but because of the conditions, today was definitely more a boat handling day than a typical match racing day,” Lush explained.

“It’s been good to get out there and get the first day out of the way. It was a bit of an off day for us in terms of the racing with 40 minute delays between each of our matches, but tomorrow should be better and let us settle into a bit more.””

— Royal Yachting Association, 27th May 2009

“Forty-eight Skandia Team GBR sailors have made the trip to Medemblik for the 25th edition of this Dutch regatta, which will see some 650 boats entered and will welcome the new Olympic discipline of women's match racing back to the ISAF World Sailing Cup series.

Lucy Macgregor, Annie Lush and Ally Martin will look for another strong World Cup performance, having clinched a bronze medal at the Rolex Miami Olympic Classes Regatta, which so far has been the only World Cup competition to have held racing for the new women's Olympic event.

For the Delta Lloyd Regatta in Medemblik, the women's match racing will be raced in Ynglings. The modified Elliott 6m boats are still being built, but should début at the next World Cup event at Kiel in June, before making their way to the Skandia Sail For Gold Regatta in Weymouth later in the year.”

— Royal Yachting Association, 26th May 2009

“2012 Olympic hopefuls Lucy Macgregor and Mary Rook, are both being sponsored by Lynx Sports Management in their preparations to become the chosen candidate in the newly installed women's match racing class.

In the absence of the nominated sports boat which are due to be delivered later in the year, the two helms and their crews are training together in Lymington using Lynx's Laser SB3s. Lucy says “It is great for us to get this support from Lynx, it's a fantastic training facility for us in our campaign””

— Lynx Sports Management, 30th April 2009

“Olympic sailing hopeful Lucy Macgregor visited Hamworthy to inspire the next generation of potential champions.

Students from Haymoor Middle School in Poole were trying their hand at water sports at Hamworthy's outdoor education centre, where Lucy passed on her sailing experience and tips to the enthusiastic pupils.”

— Bournemouth Echo, 24th April 2009

“Organized by the Real Club Náutico Calpe, the XI International Women's Match Race Criterium started with tough weather conditions that resulted in a busy few days for the breakdown service on water.

After the round robin the overall leader was Lucy MACGREGOR (GBR), tied on a 9–2 record with Claire LEROY (FRA) and followed by Silke HAHLBROCK (GER) on 8–3 and Katie SPITHILL (AUS) on 7–4.

There were high expectations for the quarter-final round on the third day of racing. LEROY and SPITHILL scored clear 2–0 wins over their respective opponents. On the other hand, Lotte MELDAGAARD PEDERSON, who had struggled during the opening two days, (eighth position in the round robin) defeated the leading skipper MACGREGOR 2–1. There was also an upset in the other quarter final where Julie BOSSARD defeated HAHLBROCK, the winner here in Calpe last year.

The final day of racing brought almost opposite conditions; light winds and sun. Only three of the scheduled semi-final matches and a round robin to decide places five to eight could be sailed. After that the wind disappeared completely from Calpe Bay and the Race Committee decided to abandon the remaining matches.”

— International Sailing Federation, 18th April 2009