| ANNAPOLIS, MD. USA-(24-3-2003) The 2003 Rolex International Women’s
Keelboat Championship (Rolex IWKC) Outreach Committee invites junior women
sailors to participate in the Rolex Next Step Program, September 26-28 in
Annapolis, Md. The event will be held in conjunction with the Rolex IWKC,
part of US SAILING’s adult championship series, to be held September
27-October 3 at the Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC).
Junior women sailors, 13 to 19 years old, should write, in 250 words or
less, what they enjoy about sailing, their sailing experiences, and what
they think they will gain from spending a weekend at the opening of the
Rolex IWKC. The deadline for entries is August 1, 2003.
Entries should include a letter of recommendation from a sailing coach or
instructor and be submitted to Sue Mikulski at SuMikulski@aol.com. Attach
the essay and reference letter as Word documents and put “Rolex IWKC
Outreach Committee” in the subject line. Junior women can also apply online
at www.annapolisyc.org/rolexkeelboats.
The Rolex Next Step Program was established in 1997 to expose juniors to
international women’s sailing in a mentoring atmosphere. This year’s
program begins on Friday, September 26 with a welcome party and workshop at
J Port Annapolis, featuring asymmetrical spinnaker sailing with Rolex IWKC
competitors aboard J/80s provided by J Port Sailing Club and J World
Annapolis.
Saturday, September 27 features a keelboat clinic with America’s Cup
campaign veteran Tucker Thompson and US SAILING Instructor Trainer Nan Leute
Walker, director of J Port Sailing Club. A barbecue and informal
conversation with elite-level women sailors at AYC will follow.
On Sunday morning, September 28, there will be a breakfast for the Next Step
juniors with a talk by sports psychologist Jessica Mohler.
Sunday afternoon, former US SAILING president Jim Muldoon will host the
juniors aboard his well-known offshore racer, Donnybrook, for lunch and to
observe the Rolex IWKC practice race, with commentary from Dave Gendell, the
editor of SpinSheet magazine. Participants will be presented with
certificates of achievement from Rolex.
Organizers are using the Internet to promote the Rolex IWKC and provide
information: www.annapolisyc.com/rolexkeelboats is focusing on Annapolis
details; www.ussailing.org/riwkc has the official NOR and Entry Form in PDF
format, event history and news releases. There is a web server list to get
direct information by email. To subscribe, visit www.ussailing.org/riwkc.
About the Rolex IWKC
Inaugurated in 1985 at the instigation of the (then) USYRU Women’s
Championship Committee, the Rolex International Women’s Keelboat
Championship quickly became the premier women’s sailing event in the U.S.
and worldwide. Held biennially, the event provides women keelboat and
offshore sailors high-quality racing and an opportunity to compete with top
national and international sailors. The Ida Lewis Yacht Club in Newport,
R.I. hosted the event between 1985 and 1999. In 2001 the event made its
debut at Annapolis Yacht Club. Rolex Watch U.S.A. has sponsored the regatta
since its inception.
About US SAILING
The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING) is the national governing
body for the sport of sailing. The mission of this volunteer organization is
to encourage participation and promote excellence in sailing and racing in
the United States. More information about US SAILING, which is headquartered
in Portsmouth, R.I., is available at www.ussailing.org.
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