The 2010 BoatUS Santa Maria Cup was officially opened last evening at the Annapolis City Dock with a ceremony sponsored by Womanship and the National Sailing Hall of Fame. With international flags flying and boats sailing in the background, Alderman Ross Arnett read a special proclamation from Mayor Josh Cohen’s office, marking the June 1-5 event as part of the Celebrate Women in Sailing week. Eastport Yacht Club’s commodore (and Principal Race Officer of the event) Sharon Hadsell welcomed the sailors and Claire Wyngaard from the title sponsor BoatUS congratulated the event for its 20th anniversary. She then recognized Susan Dierdorff Taylor with a special award, thanking her for serving as the original executive director of the event 20 years ago. After a parade led by young female up and coming sailors from the STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) program, the ten participating teams were introduced to the crowd. A welcome reception was then held at History Quest, hosted by Boatyard Bar and Grill, Tapenade, Main Ingredient, Palate Pleasers and Galway Bay.
Tuesday, the visiting teams spent the day practicing in borrowed boats and wrapped up the session with a practice “Pro-Am” race. Several members of the media jumped on board with the sailors for a front row seat experience and supporting companies “BoatingLaw.com”, “North Sails”, “National Sailing Hall of Fame”, “Downtown Sailing Center of Baltimore”, “Evolution Sails” raced against the ladies as they tuned up for the main event.
On Wednesday June 2 official racing begins in the Severn River and continues each day through Saturday. On Saturday evening, a closing awards party will be held at Eastport Yacht Club at 7pm. Tickets are $30 and available at the door. For more information about the racing, the schedule or the competitors, please check out the official website www.BoatUSSantaMariaCup.org.