WHAT: Ten of the world’s best female skippers - including five of the top ten - and their three person crews will battle it out on the Chesapeake Bay at the BoatUS Santa Maria Cup Women’s Match Racing Championship, June 2 - 5. On June 1, the day prior to the start, there will be PRO-AM fleet races with local business sponsors and women competitors racing together on each boat. A spectator cruise to watch these races is available at 4 p.m. by Watermark Cruises (http://www.watermarkcruises.com/events.htm ). At 6 p.m., join the celebration of the cup’s 20^th^ year at the Susan C. Campbell Park on City Dock in Annapolis. See cup race schedule, commentary, photos and results at http://www.BoatUSSantaMariaCup.org.
WHEN: Spectator Cruise 4 p.m. and Opening Ceremony 6 p.m. on June 1. The regatta (or the official racing) starts Wednesday, June 2 and runs through Saturday June 5.
HOW: The BoatUS Santa Maria Cup is held in match race format that pits boat against boat, one on one. Unlike sailing races where big budgets and expensive, high-tech boats give an advantage, match racers take to the course in identical J-22 (22 foot) sailboats. The winners are determined through skill, tactics and finesse.
WHY: Claire Leroy of France, the world’s #2 ranked match racer will defend her title. She will face stiff competition from the USA’s top racers, Anna Tunnicliffe and Genny Tulloch and Sally Barkow as well as France’s Anne-Claire Le Berre and Julie Bossard.
WHO: The race is sponsored by BoatUS (Boat Owners Association of The United States) and hosted by the Eastport Yacht Club.
WHERE: Eastport Yacht Club (http://www.EastportYC.org ), 317 First St., Eastport, MD. The race is sailed on the Severn River and Chesapeake Bay adjacent Annapolis, MD.