Sally Barkow applies Wisconsin skills to Pro Am Regatta

Virgin Gorda, BVI (October 27, 2015) – The participants at Bitter End Yacht Club’s 29th Annual Pro Am Regatta are starting to think that all of Sally Barkow’s immense talent has been squandered on Olympic and Volvo Ocean Race campaigns. What she was born to do, instead, was compete with amateur pick-up squads and trounce her pro opponents.

After winning the IC-24 class in the Bitter End Yacht Club’s Defiance Day Race yesterday, she continued her winning ways today (Tuesday) to take a three point lead in the BEYC’s Pro Am Regatta. She had a succession of first or second place finishes – plus just one fifth – in the first eight Pro Am windward-leeward buoy races.

The Caribbean trade winds prevailed early in the day but faded during the eight-race, morning and afternoon schedule. “Sally is blessed by never having raced here before,” Dave Ullman quipped. “She’s unburdened by local knowledge.” Barkow acknowledged the racing was a bit like her lake-sailing experiences growing up in Wisconsin.

Barkow holds a three point lead over Pro Am veteran Ullman, with 2012 Pro Am winner Taylor Canfield in third place. Sailing in IC-24s, the six invited Pro Am skippers are sailing with a crew pool made up of guests of the BEYC. Wednesday is a Pro Am lay day, with fleet racing resuming on Thursday to determine who will sail in the match racing finals on Friday, October 30.

Current Standings
1. Sally Barkow – 16
2. Dave Ullman – 19
3. Taylor Canfield – 30
4. Annie Heager – 32
5. JJ Fetter – 35
6. Anthony Kotoun – 36

Event website