Creating Opportunities for Women

The second running of the Women’s Match Race Clinegatta opened the door for eight teams of mostly women sailors (but some great guys too) to advance their sailing skills. Hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club on April 27-29, coaching was led by world champion Liz Baylis and ably assisted by defending US champion Nicole Breault and members of her Vela Racing team.

Qualified women coaching women…

After two perfect training days of 10-15 knot westerly winds while being drilled in J/22 boat handling and match racing tactics, day three brought slightly higher speed winds on San Francisco Bay for some wild prestart battles as teams tested their mettle in a Grade 5 regatta. Stephanie Wondolleck and her crew Dana Riley, Alicia Magdeleno, and Rebecca Hinden ran the table 7-0 to top the field.

It is a mission of StFYC to help boost participation in the match racing discipline. This event was designed to attract teams aiming to race in the 2018 US Women’s Match Race Championship, to be held August 24-26 at StFYC, but also to attract greener teams looking for a chance to learn.

“I was really excited to have three youth teams attending the clinic,” said Breault, who also chaired the event. “I loved watching them in action and seeing their enthusiasm for learning the game. These kids have a bright future if they keep at it like they did this weekend.”

For details on the 2018 US Women’s Match Race Championship… click here.