The 21st Santa Maria Cup Women’s Match Racing Championship was officially opened with the declaration of September 27 - October 1 as “Celebrate Women in Sailing” week by proclamation of the Mayor of Annapolis, Josh Cohen. Racers were escorted to the podium by local high school students bearing their country flags. 2011 teams and their skippers include, Team Baylis - Liz (USA) Santa Maria Cup 2003 Champion, Team Bossard - Julie (France), Team Dellenbaugh - Becca (USA), Team Ferris-Choat - Sharon (Canada) Team Lichtenen - Silja of Finland, Team Ruhlman - Maegan (USA), Team Silva - Martina (Argentina), Team Tunnicliffe (Team Maclaren) - Anna (USA), currently ranked number one in the world.
The first round robin will begin at 9:00 Wednesday. Students ages 12 - 22 are invited to register for the Eastport Yacht Club Foundation’s “Sailing Olympians …2008…2012…You’re Next!” to meet the teams, learn more about their Olympic campaigns and the excitement and challenges of match racing. The event will be at Eastport Yacht Club, Wednesday from 4:30 -6 and participants will receive an autographed poster and raffle prizes courtesy of Helly Hansen. Refreshments will be served. Students can register at www.eastportyc.org.
Thank you to the Eastport Yacht Club and the wonderful volunteers and sponsors who make the Santa Maria Cup a success: BoatU.S., SpinSheet, Go The Airport Shuttle, Eastport Yacht Club Foundation, Boatyard Bar & Grill, Heineken, Gosling’s Rum, Evolution Sails, Dean’s Yacht Services, West Marine, Hell Point Seafood and the Historic Annapolis Foundation.