(Annapolis, MD)- One of the favorite events on the Women's
International Match Race Association (WIMRA) tour has always been racing
the fun-to-sail J/22s in the Santa Maria Cup sailed in Annapolis, MD.
Hosted by Eastport YC, the EYC members and Maryland's capitol city of
Annapolis roll-out the red carpet to welcome top women's match race
teams from around the world, an invitational-only event.
While
the match racing begins on Wednesday, September 28, Tuesday the 27th is
filled with Santa Maria Cup excitement. The Boatyard Bar & Grill
PRO-AM pits regional challengers from industry, sailing clubs, colleges
and high schools against the Santa Maria Cup women super-stars in
fleet-racing. What fun, eh?? Afterwards at the Opening Ceremonies on
the City Dock, Eastport Yacht Club Commodore Rick Jackson and Annapolis
Mayor Josh Cohen welcome the women's teams to Annapolis and proclaim
"Celebrate Women's Sailing Week".
Then,
on Wednesday the racing begins in earnest. Top billing goes to recent
Rolex Women's Sailor of the Year, Anna Tunnicliffe and her team who are
also fresh from finishing 2nd in the Rolex Women's Worlds in Rochester,
NY. Also a clear favorite, despite a currently low WIMRA ranking, is Liz
Baylis, she was the Santa Maria Cup winner in 2003. Also factoring
into the leader-board will be Silja Lehtinen from Finland, she should
prove tough to beat and her current #11 ranking in WIMRA means she will
be a factor on the race course. Likewise, one of the top women match
race sailors from France, Julie Brossard, ranked #12 in WIMRA will also
be in the hunt for the Finals on Sunday.
Sailing photo credits- Fried Elliott/ Friedbits.com For
more Santa Maria Cup sailing information
