J/22 Women's Teams Training Worldwide (Portsmouth, RI)- When Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship (IWKC) returns to Rochester Yacht Club for its 14th edition, August 29-September 1, 2011, it will be the sixth time in the event’s history that racing has been conducted in J/22s. Easing the way for women sailors new to the J/22, US SAILING is organizing a series of "Road to Rolex" clinics to help develop teams and encourage their participation in Rolex IWKC. The first one at Davis Island Yacht Club in late February that took place in conjunction with the J/22 LayLine Midwinters was a great success. Two-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year Sally Barkow, an accomplished match racer, 2008 Olympian and member of the US Sailing Team, led the two-day women-only clinic with a focus on boat-handling and aggressive starts.
Translating
the lessons from the clinic into performance on-the-water, the
Cleveland-based team led by Susan McIntyre (Bay Village, Ohio) won the
three-race clinic series after posting finishes of 2-2-1. Besides
escaping the cold winter weather, McIntyre, who plans to enter Rolex
IWKC, had signed up for the clinic to learn more about downwind
sailing. “The clinic was amazing. We didn't know we could learn so much
in two days but Sally made it possible,” said McIntyre. “There were
numerous things that she taught us that we can take home and practice on
our own such as the figure eight drill. The starting drills and tips
were also very helpful. It was an excellent clinic.”While the "Road to Rolex" clinics are designed to prepare competitors for the Rolex IWKC, participants do not have to be attending the Rolex IWKC to join in the clinic. Chalk-talks, on-the-water sessions and video debriefs will culminate with a short race series which determines the clinic winner who becomes the recipient of a $200 credit toward her entry fee to the 2011 Rolex IWKC. Over the coming months, nine additional clinics will be conducted around the county, including South Africa. For questions, contact Taran Teague at email- Jtteague@aol.com or website- http://www.riwkc.ussailing.org. For complete "Road to Rolex" sailing clinic schedule and sailing information.