News

Women's Rolex Osprey Cup October 26-30, 2005

Women’s Match Racing Regatta On, Despite Wilma
World Champion Leroy Defends No. 1 Ranking

St. Petersburg, FL (Oct. 25, 2005) – Though St. Petersburg, Fla. has had to deal with the effects of the Hurricane Wilma, organizers of the Rolex Osprey Cup confirmed today that the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) Grade 1 women’s match racing regatta will go on as scheduled, October 27-30. The St. Petersburg Yacht Club, host to the regatta, has not sustained damage to its clubhouse or sailing center where the club’s fleet of Sonar class keelboats, slated for service in the Rolex Osprey Cup, are located.

The skippers roster shows an interesting mix of international talent. Returning champion and world #1 match racer Claire Leroy of France will have her work cut out for her as she will face nine outstanding sailors from five different countries, including Malin Millbourn, the 2003 world champion.

Two competitors received invitations to this event based on their performance at the Rolex Women’s Match, a grade 4 event held this past April at the SPYC. Elizabeth Kratzig (Miami Beach, Fla./Corpus Christi, Texas) will have crew members 2004 Olympic Silver Medallist Lenka Smidova, Amanda Callahan and Alix Manley. Rachael Silverstein (St. Petersburg, Fla.) also qualified and will have crew members Jee Lee, Kristin Herman and Becca Thomas.

Skippers confirmed for the event:

1. Giulia Conti, (Circolo Vela Toscolano Maderno, Brescia, Italy)
ISAF rank: 30

2. Arabella Denvir (IRL)
ISAF rank: 69

3. Linda Härsjö (SWE)
ISAF rank: 61

4. Sandy Hayes (Scituate, Mass.)
ISAF rank: 13

5. Elizabeth Kratzig (Miami Beach, Fla.)
ISAF rank: 17

6. Claire Leroy (St. Quentin, France)
ISAF rank: 1

7. Katy Lovell (New Orleans, La., USA)
ISAF rank: 67

8. Malin Millbourn (Stockholm, Sweden)
ISAF rank: 21

9. Rachael Silverstein (St. Petersburg Yacht Club, St. Petersburg, Fla.)
ISAF rank: 54

10. Anna Tunnicliffe (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., USA)
ISAF: NR

For more information about the Rolex Osprey Cup go to www.rolexwomensmatch.org or contact Pat Seidenspinner at 727-522-0723 or email pseidens@tampabay.rr.com <mailto:pseidens@tampabay.rr.com> .