WHAT: Ten of the world’s best female skippers - including five of the top ten - and their three person crews will battle it out on the Chesapeake Bay at the BoatUS Santa Maria Cup Women’s Match Racing Championship, June 2 - 5.  On June 1, the day prior to the start, there will be PRO-AM fleet races with local business sponsors and women competitors racing together on each boat.  A spectator cruise to watch these races is available at 4 p.m. by Watermark Cruises (http://www.watermarkcruises.com/events.htm ). At 6 p.m., join the celebration of the cup’s 20^th year at the Susan C. Campbell Park on City Dock in Annapolis.  See cup race schedule, commentary, photos and results at http://www.BoatUSSantaMariaCup.org.

WHEN: Spectator Cruise 4 p.m. and Opening Ceremony 6 p.m. on June 1. The regatta (or the official racing) starts Wednesday, June 2 and runs through Saturday June 5.

HOW: The BoatUS Santa Maria Cup is held in match race format that pits boat against boat, one on one.  Unlike sailing races where big budgets and expensive, high-tech boats give an advantage, match racers take to the course in identical J-22 (22 foot) sailboats.  The winners are determined through skill, tactics and finesse.

WHY: Claire Leroy of France, the world’s #2 ranked match racer will defend her title.  She will face stiff competition from the USA’s top racers, Anna Tunnicliffe and Genny Tulloch and Sally Barkow as well as France’s Anne-Claire Le Berre and Julie Bossard.

WHO:  The race is sponsored by BoatUS (Boat Owners Association of The United States) and hosted by the Eastport Yacht Club. 

WHERE: Eastport Yacht Club (http://www.EastportYC.org), 317 First St., Eastport, MD.  The race is sailed on the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay adjacent Annapolis, MD.

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Note to Media: Press boat available on PRO-AM races day June 1 from 2 - 5 pm at Eastport Yacht Club.

Also press invited to sail with competitors on this day. Contact Nancy Noyes

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