Allie Blecher wins U.S. Women's Match Racing Championship

by US Sailing 22 Aug 2022 03:47 BST August 19-21, 2022

Allie Blecher and her team from California Yacht Club claimed their second U.S. Women's Match Racing Championship this weekend, besting last year's runner-up Janel Zarkowsky and her team from Scuttlebutt Sailing Club / Storm Trysail in the finals 3-0.

Top three teams:

1. Team BAAM: Allie Blecher, Katja Sertl, Beka Schiff, and Ali Blumenthal
2. As One: Janel Zarkowsky, Rose Edwards, Annabelle Ayer, and Eva Fortunato
3. Vela Racing: Nicole Breault, Karen Loutzenheiser, Julie Mitchell, and Hailey Thompson

As Blecher has already won her berth to the 2022 Women's World Match Racing Championships this November in Auckland, New Zealand, Zarkowsky will receive an invite for her second-place finish.

Event reigning champion Nicole Breault of St. Francics Yacht Club bested last year's third place finisher Bridget Groble and the Bow Down racing team in the Petit Finals, taking third overall. Breault will be joining Blecher at the 2022 Women's World Match Racing Championships, having qualified because of her World Sailing ranking.

"For us it's always about communication, staying heads out of the boat and connecting the dots," said winning skipper Allie Blecher. "It was a tricky event - sometimes you had to leave your guy to head for pressure, and it would be well worth it."

After three days of light mornings, shifting to a Long Island Sound sea breeze in the afternoons, race committee was able to race a round robin, consolation round robin, semifinals, and finals for a total of 70 races. From match racing rookies to seasoned veterans, a multitude of sailors were in attendance with a large focus on learning and uplifting female sailors.

"My favorite thing about the women's match racing series is that everyone is really willing to work together to get better," said Ali Blumenthal, a member of winning Team BAAM. "There's no 'every man for themselves' out on the water or on land, so it is a wonderful opportunity for women of any ability to get into match racing because everyone wants to share information and make the fleet better."

US Sailing would like to thank the umpires, race officials, race committee and Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club for their tireless work on this event. Events like this would not be possible without the strong support from clubs and volunteers.

US Sailing would also like to thank National Sponsors Gill Marine, and Regatta Craft Mixers and local sponsor TUCK Gin for their support of the event. Gill Marine provided personalized changing robes to all competitors, while Regatta Craft Mixers and TUCK Gin provided complimentary signature drinks after racing.

Full results available here.