ROLEX INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S KEELBOAT CHAMPIONSHIP

Rolex Next Step Program Provides Opportunities for Junior Women Sailors

Annapolis, Md. (March 24, 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.