Slate of World-Class Women Match Racers Announced

A confirmed slate of world-class match racers has been announced for the 18th Annual BoatUS. Santa Maria Cup, to be held May 26 – 30 in Annapolis, MD and hosted by Eastport Yacht Club . The list of racers scheduled to compete (with home country and world ranking) include:

Claire Leroy (FRA, #1)
Elizabeth Baylis (USA, # 6)
Katie Spithill (AUS, #7)
Julie Bossard (FRA, #14)
Katy Lovell (USA, #22)
Lorenza Mariani (ITA, #24)
Jo Ann Fisher (USA, #43)
Genny Tulloch (USA, #44)
Maria Ramires (POR, #48)
Juliana Senfft (BRA, #58)

Claire Leroy returns after a year’s absence to pursue this championship that has eluded her over the five years she has reigned as the world’s top-ranked match racer. She will face stiff competition from the USA’s top racer, Elizabeth Baylis, Australia’s Katie Spithill and another U.S. team led by Genny Tulloch, who has been blistering the competition in recent weeks.
Each skipper leads a hand-picked crew of three. Over the course of three days a series of round-robin, two-boat heats, each lasting about 15 minutes, will determine who goes to the finals on Saturday, May 30. Unlike sailing races where big budgets and expensive high-tech boats can have an advantage, these match racers will take to the Chesapeake Bay course in identical J-22 (22-foot) sailboats.
The event is sponsored by Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.) . For more information go to SantaMariaCup.org.