US SAILING's 2011 Rolex IWKC Day Three Report
Jake Fish
Communications Manager, US SAILING
401.683.0800 x614
jakefish@ussailing.org
Jan Harley
Media Pro Int'l. for Rolex Watch U.S.A.
401.849.0220
Jan.Harley@MediaProNewport.com
Rochester, N.Y., USA (August 31, 2011) – When they say the wait is worth it, it usually is, and in this case the wait for the elusive breeze on Lake Ontario paid off for 36 teams on the second day of racing at US SAILING's Rolex International Womens Keelboat Championship (Rolex IWKC). It was early afternoon before the light and variable wind gave way and breeze began to build from the east, eventually settling in around 12 knots which allowed a spirited game of leap frog to take place amongst the teams at the top of the standings.
The first win of the day went to an experienced local team, which briefly moved them up from third to second in the overall standings. Team Lucy is helmed by Cory Sertl (Rochester, N.Y.), a two-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year who has won this championship twice, sailing with long-time crew Amy Seymour Moran (Pittsford, N.Y.), Annemarie Cook (Rochester, N.Y.) and Jane Mastrandrea (Webster, N.Y.).
When the defending champions won race two of the day – Anna Tunnicliffe (Plantation, Fla.), Debbie Capozzi (Bayport, N.Y.), Molly Vandemoer (Stanford, Calif.) and Liz Bower (Rochester, N.Y.) racing as Team Maclaren – they too made a leap, going from fourth to first in the overall standings. Tunnicliffe, Capozzi and Vandemoer are members of the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics. Finishing fifth in the race sent yesterday’s leaders – Sally Barkow (Nashotah, Wisc.), Annie Lush (Poole, Dorset, GBR), Alana O’Reilly (Charleston, S.C.) and Jackie Campbell (Washington, D.C.) – down to third overall, while Sertl’s Team Lucy remained second overall on the strength of a third-place in the race. Things were heating up though, as Tunnicliffe and Sertl were now tied on points at 21, with Barkow just one point behind. Barkow and O'Reilly are members of the US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics.
Winning the third and final race of the day was Kirsten Werner (Rochester), with Brandy Cocoroch (Toronto, CAN), Katelyn Thompson (Whistler, CAN) and Samantha Webster (Toronto, CAN). Werner was followed across the line by Barkow and Tunnicliffe, a result that popped Barkow back up to second overall.
“The racing was great,” said Debbie Capozzi, Tunnicliffe’s crew on Team Maclaren, who has crewed to the win of this event four times. “It was a great day. We had to wait a little bit for breeze, but it was well worth it. It’s a great fleet, it’s a really deep fleet and we felt we did pretty well today. The fleet is so good that if you miss one little decision, you’re going to get stalled. It’s grinding it out, keeping with the top pack and then making gains where you can. We made a lot of good decisions that we’re psyched with and we’re looking forward to tomorrow.”
With today’s three races added to the five completed yesterday, the standings point to a dramatic showdown when the final day of championship racing takes place tomorrow, Thursday, September 1. Anna Tunnicliffe’s Team MacLaren is first overall, followed by Sally Barkow’s team, both tied at 24 points. Cory Sertl’s Team Lucy is five points back, followed by Carol Cronin (Jamestown, R.I.) and JoAnn Fisher (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.), who are tied on 29 pts.
Racing at the 2011 Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship concludes tomorrow, Thursday, September 1, for the 36 competing teams. The warning signal for the first race of the day will sound at 10:00 a.m., with the crowning of a new champion at the conclusion of racing. The Rolex Gala closes the event with the presentation of US SAILING’s Bengt Julin Trophy and a Rolex timepiece to the winning boat’s skipper. For recaps, results, photos and more, visit the event website at http://riwkc.ussailing.org/RIWKC_Home.htm.
Listen to these interviews with skippers Cory Sertl and Katja Sertl.
Follow us on Twitter for regular updates throughout the Championship.
About the Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship
Every two years women from around the globe set sail for the Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship, hoping to lay claim to one of sailing’s most revered titles while experiencing high-caliber racing alongside top competitors of the sport. One of the longest running women’s one-design regattas in existence, “The Rolex Women’s,” as veterans often refer to it, has hosted over 2,400 sailors from 23 countries since its founding in 1985, and has been credited with advancing the overall level of women’s competitive sailing and encouraging more participation in the sport. For more information:
http://riwkc.ussailing.org/RIWKC_Home.htm
About US SAILING
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth 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 US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics preparation, US SAILING championships, disabled sailing, offshore, one-design and women's events.
About Rochester Yacht Club
Incorporated in 1877, Rochester Yacht Club celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2002 and is still going strong. The first regatta was held in 1877 with eight sail boats competing and most recently it hosted 102 boats at the J/22 World Championship. Its purpose is to provide and encourage interests and instruction in areas of yachts and yachting, seamanship, racing and traditions of yachting. Seven miles from the heart of Rochester, Monroe County, New York, RYC is located on the south shore of Lake Ontario and is accessible from the Genesee River.
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