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Leads
Rolex International Report | 1 | 2 | In the 10th running of the Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship, Team Challenge US with Betsy Alison, Lee Icyda, Suzy Leech and Dini Hall sit at the top of the leader board with 23 points after 5 races. The Team, sponsored by the Hall Spars and Rigging, had a magnificent first day with two bullets in Races 1 and 2. The strong blustery conditions were much to the Team’s liking as they dominated the playing field in the 18-25 knot breeze. "The winds were not predictable on the water, and it was important to keep our heads out of the boat to make critical decisions. It certainly helped to have great boat speed as well," said Alison at the end of the day. "The Black Flag Disqualification we received in Race 3 was a bit of a surprise for us, but we were in great company as many of our top competitors also were caught by the RC!" On day number 2, the winds were still an unstable WNW post frontal direction, much lighter in velocity and exceedingly tricky. Both Sally Barkow and Nancy Haberland posted great finishes for the day to vault them up in the standings. Alison and company posted a 12, 9 to remain in the lead with a throw out factored in. "We are pleased with our come back in the second race today," mentioned Icyda, "After rounding in second at the top mark, we jibed toward what we thought was stronger pressure, only to have the other side fill in. We think we were deep in the high teens at one point, but we worked hard as a team to attack the course and recover some places." Several foreign teams (BER, RSA, NZL) place prominently in the top 10. The Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship is being sailed in Annapolis, MD in J-22’s. There are 66 teams from 7 countries and 17 states. 3 of the top USA Yngling teams are competing here, including Team Challenge US led by Betsy Alison. Alison has won the Rolex IWKC an unprecedented 5 times! The 10 race regatta continues through Friday, October 3. Top 10 After 5 Races:
Alison,
Icyda and Leech Fall From 1st to 15th The 7th race of the Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship took place today on the Chesapeake Bay off Annapolis, MD in moderate NW breeze that steadily increased around the course. Betsy Alison and her team mates from Team ChallengeUS started the day at the top of the leader board. After the second general recall, the RC went to the dreaded Black Flag. Unfortunately, a miscommunication resulting in a trimming error put the foursome just across the line before the gun. That misstep was costly for the Team, and has plummetted them in the standings to 15th since they must now keep a BFD score of 67 points. Sally Barkow of Wisconsin now sits alone in first place with a lead of 20 points. Though the Team was over early, they did not know that they had been identified as BFD until the finish of the race which they crossed in 7th position. “We were pretty surprised with the BFD,” said Alison, “We were certainly not holding back too much, even though we had a BFD early in the week. It is important for us in our training for the Olympic Trials to be testing and trying techniques and to push some limits. We found that limit today.” The fleet was challenged with difficult conditions – blustery northwesterly winds and very choppy seas. As the 66 boat fleet attacked the course, the velocity increased and the water began to foam over. By the finish of the race, at least half the fleet chose not to fly chutes and many took knock downs. Karleen Dixon from New Zealand won the race followed by Barkow. Many of the teams that had been in the top 10 shuffled in and out of placings due to either BFD or ZFP (Z Flag percentage penalty). The winds rose to 30+ knots forcing the RC to abandon racing for the day. Tomorrow, racing will continue with an earlier starting time of 10:30 AM. Team ChallengeUS sponsored by Hall Spars and Rigging will attempt to move back into the top 10. No race can start after 3PM with an awards ceremony to take place at Annapolis YC on Friday evening. Stay tuned for the final report. |
