(From the BoatUS News Room at www.BoatUS.com)

Slate of World-Class Women Match Racers Announced for BoatUS Santa Maria Cup May 26-30

A confirmed slate of world-class match racers has been announced for the 18th Annual BoatUS Santa Maria Cup, to be held May 26 – 30 in Annapolis, MD and hosted by Eastport Yacht Club. The list of skippers scheduled to compete (with home country and world ranking) include:

Claire Leroy (FRA, #1)
Liz Baylis (USA, # 6)
Katie Spithill (AUS, #7)
Julie Bossard (FRA, #14)
Katy Lovell (USA, #22)
Lorenza Mariani (ITA, #24)
Jo Ann Fisher (USA, #43)
Genny Tulloch (USA, #44)
Maria Ramires (POR, #48)
Juliana Senfft (BRA, #58)

Claire Leroy returns after a year’s absence to pursue this championship that has eluded her over the five years she has reigned as the world’s top-ranked match racer. She will face stiff competition from the USA’s top racer, Liz Baylis, Australia’s Katie Spithill and another US team led by Genny Tulloch, who has been blistering the competition in recent weeks.

Each skipper leads a hand-picked crew of three. Over the course of three days a series of round-robin, two-boat heats, each lasting about 15 minutes, will determine who goes to the finals on Saturday, May 30. Unlike sailing races where big budgets and expensive high-tech boats can have an advantage, these match racers will take to the Chesapeake Bay course in identical J-22 sailboats.

The event is sponsored by Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS). For more information go to www.SantaMariaCup.org.

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About BoatUS:

BoatUS – Boat Owners Association of The United States – is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its 600,000 members with government representation, programs and money saving services. For membership information visit www.BoatUS.com or call 800-395-2628.

About Eastport Yacht Club:

Located on the Severn River in Annapolis, Maryland this club of 600 members is recognized around the yacht-racing world as a leader in race management. In addition to the BoatUS Santa Maria Cup, in 2009 the club will also host the Melges 24 World Championships and seven other major regattas. Additional information about the club is available at www.EastportYC.org.