FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Jake Fish, US SAILING
401-683-0800
jakefish@ussailing.org
or
Dana Paxton
Media Pro Int’l for Rolex Watch U.S.A.
401-849-0220
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (May 19, 2010) – Who today would think it daring to declare that female athletes should be mainstreamed into big-boat sailing? That was the general attitude in 1985 until US SAILING and Rolex collaborated to create the Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship (IWKC). Twenty-five years later “The Rolex Women’s” – as competitors fondly call it – stands as a testament to the huge strides made in women’s sailing. This biennial event regularly attracts both the Who’s Who and the up-and-coming of women’s sailing. The 14th running is scheduled for August 29 – September 1, 2011 at the Rochester Yacht Club (Rochester, N.Y.), and utilizes the International J/22 class keelboat, suitable for four-person teams. A Preliminary Notice of Race will be posted in June, 2010 at http://championships.ussailing.org/Adult/RIWKC.htm.
The current champion and US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics member, Anna Tunnicliffe (Plantation, Fla.), recently received US SAILING’s highest honor as the 2009 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year based in part on her accomplishment of winning the 2009 Rolex IWKC. “Since US SAILING and Rolex created the Rolex IWKC in 1985, many accomplished women sailors have been part of this regatta’s 25-year history,” said Taran Teague (Annapolis, Md.), chair of US SAILING’s International Women’s Keelboat steering committee. “In fact, since its founding, this regatta has hosted more than 2500 women representing 23 countries.”
Taking the helm of the local organizing committee is Chris Dorsey (Rochester) from Rochester Yacht Club. “The members of the Rochester Yacht Club were both honored and proud when we were selected to host the regatta in 2009,” said Dorsey, who served as co-chair in 2009. “We were equally honored when US SAILING awarded it to us for 2011. With the dates of the regatta likely to correspond with good, comfortable weather and with ISAF International Race Officer Hank Stuart serving as our Principal Race Officer, we’re sure the sailing experience will surpass all expectations. We believe the fact that the regatta will take place prior to many students and teachers returning to school will give even more sailors a chance to come to Lake Ontario to compete.”
This year the RYC will host the Hospice Regattas National Championship and the Melges 24 North Americans. “Between now and the time of the Rolex IWKC, we’ll be honing our hosting skills even further,” said Dorsey. “We’re looking forward to providing an unforgettable experience for everyone who participates.”
Part of US SAILING’s Championships calendar, the regatta provides women sailors of all ability levels with high-quality racing and an opportunity to compete against top national and international sailors. Opportunities for skills development are available through nationwide Road to Rolex clinics, as well as mentoring to young women through the Next Step to Rolex program and the Junior Road to Rolex clinic.
Regatta Highlights
• Popular “11 races in four days” format, preceded by two days for registration, measurement and a practice race - a great way for teams that are new to J/22s to get some extra time against the fleet.
• Team housing provided by request to competitors.
• Between 40 and 50 teams representing four to 12 countries.
• The regatta does not require qualification for entry, only that each team becomes a member of its country’s national governing authority for sailing.
• Daily dockside “happy hours” where competitors can debrief, rehydrate and relax.
• Traditional Rolex gala and awards presentation where a Rolex timepiece will be awarded to the winning boat’s skipper.
For more information about the 2011 Rolex IWKC contact US SAILING’s IWKC committee chair Taran Teague at Jtteague@aol.com or RYC’s Event Chair Chris Dorsey at rolexregattachair@rochesteryc.com.
Future Championship Host Bid Process
Bids are now being accepted to host the 2013 and 2015 Rolex IWKC. All interested yacht clubs and host organizations are encouraged to contact Taran Teague for background and a bid package.
About the Rolex IWKC
Inaugurated in 1985 at the instigation of the US SAILING’s Women’s Championship Committee, the Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship quickly became the premier women’s sailing event in the U.S. and worldwide. Held biennially, the event provides women keelboat and offshore sailors high-quality racing and an opportunity to compete with top national and international sailors. The Houston Yacht Club in LaPorte, Texas hosted the event in 2007; the Annapolis Yacht Club, in Annapolis, Md., hosted the event from 2001 through 2005; and the Ida Lewis Yacht Club in Newport, R.I. hosted the event between 1985 and 1999. Rolex Watch U.S.A. has sponsored the regatta since its inception. The event is part of US SAILING’s Championships calendar.
About US SAILING
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US SAILING is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US SAILING offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.
About Rolex Watch U.S.A.
Since Rolex Watch U.S.A. first presented timepieces to America’s Cup defenders in 1958, the company has consistently recognized and encouraged excellence in every important arena of competitive sailing, including elite athlete preparation, US SAILING championships, disabled sailing, and offshore, one-design and women’s events.
The Rolex IWKC joins other prestigious Rolex-sponsored events including the Rolex Miami OCR, Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, Rolex Fastnet Race, Rolex Farr 40 World Championship, New York Yacht Club’s Annual Regatta and Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex, Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex, Rolex Big Boat Series and Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
About the Rochester Yacht Club
Since our founding in 1877, Rochester Yacht Club has been serving our members, cruising boaters and racing sailors, with our year-round, full service facility. We are located on the south shore of Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Genesee River. Our amenities include full service bar and restaurant, outdoor pool and tennis courts, kayaks and sailboats for our members use. We support and promote youth and adult "Learn to Sail" programs, local high school sailing, and offer a very full calendar of one-design and handicap sailboat racing. Our marina facility offers 170 slips and space for 30 dry sailed boats. We are only minutes from enjoying great fresh water sailing and our facility offers three two-ton hoists, two gin poles and ample room for trailer storage. RYC members are very proud of the great reputation that we've earned in hosting national and international championship regattas. We invite you to visit www.rochesteryc.com to learn more about our Club.