On November 11-15, the waters off St. Thomas’ East End will play host to eight of the best women match racers in the world, at the U.S. Women’s Match Racing Championship.

US Women's Match Racing Championship Trophy

The US Virgin Islands, a major Caribbean bareboat charter hub, offer the ideal location for both casual yacht charter vacations and exciting Olympic-style competitive sailing races.  Constant breezes and warm, dry weather make this a great bareboat destination and should provide just the right mix of wind and sun for a great match race competition.

After spending a day or two watching the action, Caribbean yacht charter enthusiasts can easily sail their rental sailing yacht into the nearby British Virgin Islands.  There are mooring buoys in almost every protected cove. The beaches, Caribbean food, tropical music, and friendly locals make this a great yacht charter destination.

More about the big match race:

Competitors include US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics member and 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist Anna Tunnicliffe (North Cape Yacht Club/Lauderdale Yacht Club; ranked 19th), Genevieve Tulloch (St. Francis Yacht Club; ranked 21st), Katy Pilley-Lovell (Southern Yacht Club; ranked 23rd), Debbie Capozzi (Chicago Match Race Center; ranked 25nd), Annie Gardner Nelson (San Diego Yacht Club; ranked 182), Maegan Ruhlan (Pymatuning Yacht Club; 200 rank), Evan Brown (Davis Island Yacht Club; unranked) and Kelly O’Brien (St. Thomas Yacht Club; unranked).

Tunnicliffe is the defending 2008 champ, while Capozzi won the event in 2006.

Match racing consists of two identical boats racing against each other. It is the format that is used in the America’s Cup, and it is a one-on-one duel of strategy and tactics where there is only one winner. This year, the competitors will sail in IC24′s. The IC24 or Inter-Club 24 was designed and built by two St. Thomas sailors. It uses a J/24 hull, which is fitted with a Melges 24-style deck mold that is wider, has no traveler, and is capable of carrying four to five sailors.

The first U.S. Women’s Match Racing Championship was held at Southern Yacht Club in 2001. This marks the first time that the St. Thomas Yacht Club will host the event. However, the Club has hosted many high level match racing championships in the past.

The event is sponsored by Rolex Watch U.S.A. and Dry Creek Vineyard.

Charter a bareboat sailboat or motoryacht and enjoy the action!  For more information, contact 1-800-BAREBOAT (227-3262) or email info@bareboat.com