Inaugurated in 1985 at
the instigation of US SAILING's Women’s Championship Committee, of which
Helen K. Ingerson was a long-time Chair, the 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 the top national and international sailors. The Ida Lewis Yacht Club,
Newport, RI became host for the event, and Rolex Watch, U.S.A. Inc. -
sponsor at its inception - subsequently became the title sponsor.
The trophy is named for
Bengt Julin, an international judge and strong supporter of women’s
sailing. A modest man and sailing philanthropist, Julin championed the
event from its inception and was instrumental in making it an
international competition. Julin presented the very first trophy to Betsy
Alison and retired the original to her after she had won it three times
consecutively. Alison of Newport R.I. had an unbroken winning streak
competing against teams from a dozen or more nations from 1991 through
1997. In 2007, Sally Barkow matched Alison by winning
the championship for the third time.
Ida Lewis Yacht Club hosted the championship until 2001, when it moved to
Annapolis Yacht Club who hosted it in 2001, 2003 and 2005. Houston Yacht
Club first hosted the championship in 2007
and will be the host again in 2009. Bids
are currently being accepted for the 2011 and 2013 event.
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