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Women Sailors To Duel For BoatUS Santa Maria Cup May 31 -
June 3
 Exciting
One-on-One "Match Race" Hosted by Eastport Yacht
Club, Annapolis MD
Pitting
sailboat against sailboat in a fast-paced duel to the finish
line, "match" racing is considered by many to be
the most exciting racing format. It's a matter of brains over
brawn as each boat spars with its foe for the slightest edge.
Tactics, leadership and crew teamwork are the components of
victory.
World-class
match racing comes to Annapolis' doorstep May 31 – June 3
when 10 of the top women match racers are scheduled to compete
in the BoatUS Santa Maria Cup.
Hosted
by Eastport Yacht Club and sponsored by Boat Owners Association
of The United States (BoatUS), the confirmed fleet of ten
teams led by notable skippers includes Christelle Phillipe
of France, Australia's Katie Spithill, and Mariani Lorenza
and Giulia Conti of Italy. Americans Liz Baylis, Katy Pyle-Lovell,
Carol Cronin, Jo Ann Fisher and Deborah Capozzi are also included
in the fleet as well as Canadian Jen Provan.
Each
skipper leads a hand picked crew of three. Over the course
of three days, a series of round-robin heats will determine
who goes to the finals on Saturday, June 3.
Unlike
sailing races where big budgets and expensive hi-tech boats
can have an advantage, these match racers will take to the
Chesapeake Bay course in identical J-22 (22-foot) sailboats.
"There
is nothing like having these world-class racers in our back
yard," said BoatUS President Jim Ellis. "We hope
that our sponsorship over the years has influenced more women
to take up sailing and competitive racing," he added.
"We
have another talented field of teams this year in one of the
strongest of any women's match race events. This is a tribute
to volunteers and members of the Eastport Yacht Club and BoatUS'
sponsorship," says Jeff Borland, chairman of the 2006
BoatUS Santa Maria Cup.
For more information, including tips on how to get "up close
and personal" to watch the on-water action without getting
in the way, see the website www.santamariacup.org,
or e-mail smc@eastportyc.org.
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