Newport, RI (May 21, 2009) - Sally Barkow’s team went undefeated on the first day of racing to lead a talented fleet at the New York Yacht Club Women’s Match Racing Clinic & Regatta. Eight top women’s teams completed the first round robin in a steady 11-14 knot southwester competing in Sonars. Anna Tunnicliffe’s team is one point back after losing a seesaw battle with Barkow. Racing continues on Friday with a second round robin, followed by semi-finals and finals on Saturday.

With only three years before the next Olympic Games, NYYC is committed to help the U.S. women’s match racing training effort. Eight teams were invited to train with four top coaches - Dave Perry, Dave Dellenbaugh, Tony Rey and Henry Menin - for two intense days before the Grade 3 regatta. The coaches are on hand throughout the racing for coaching, analysis and debriefing.

The invited skippers include the three US Sailing Team Alphagraphics match racing skippers – Genny Tulloch, Debbie Capozzi and Katie Lovell – as well as Sally Barkow, Liz Baylis, Anna Tunnicliffe and Marie Klok Crump. To further the training opportunities and challenge the U.S. teams, NYYC has also invited world 4th ranked Lotte Pedersen from the Royal Danish Yacht Club. RDYC has offered to host a reciprocal event for one of the U.S. teams in the near future.

The three-day regatta will be used to select the U.S. team for the ISAF World Cup event in Weymouth, UK in September.

In addition to hosting this annual clinic and regatta, New York Yacht Club will also be hosting the 2010 ISAF Women’s Match Racing World Championship.

RESULTS after Round Robin 1
Sally Barkow 7-0
Anna Tunnicliffe 6-1
Genny Tulloch 5-2
Lotte Pedersen 3-4
Debbie Capozzi 3-4
Katy Lovell 2-5
Liz Baylis 2-5
Marie Klok Crump 0-7

For additional information:
Brad Dellenbaugh
Sailing Director
New York Yacht Club
5 Halidon Ave.
Newport, RI 02840
401-845-9633 (work)
401-846-3303 (fax)