For the third straight time, Sally Barkow (Nashotah, Wis.) has won US SAILING’s Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship. Racing took place November 14-17 in Shoreacres, Texas. At the gala Rolex Awards ceremony held this evening at the Houston Yacht Club, Barkow and her crew of Debbie Capozzi (Bayport, N.Y.), Amanda Callahan (Canton, Mass.) and Annie Lush (Poole, England) were awarded with US SAILING’s Bengt Julin Trophy and a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Stainless Steel & Gold Datejust, presented by Colette Bennett, National Sports Marketing Manager of Rolex Watch U.S.A.

“Yesterday was really the day that made the difference,” said Barkow, an Olympic hopeful and 2005 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year. “We feel really good.”

Going into today’s final two races, Barkow led the 39-boat fleet with 14 total points. “Today we went out and knew what we had to do. It was tricky and light and mind boggling, instead of having to race the boat hard like yesterday. We had to make sure we were in the top eight.  Then if we were beating Derby Anderson, we wouldn’t have to sail the last race.”

Barkow finished fifth in the first race and elected not to sail the final race. “That was sort of the goal, but no real pressure,” she said. “If we could do it, we would do it. Truthfully it’s about getting the boat pulled out early.  It was so close for second, so we thought we’d let them duke it out.”

In both the 2005 and 2003 Rolex IWKC, Capozzi and Lush were with Barkow, along with her third Yngling teammate Carrie Howe (Grosse Pointe, Mich.), who could not attend this regatta. “The first time Annie sailed with us was the Rolex in 2003,” said Barkow.  “Debbie is a good friend; I’ve known her for a long time. She’s always been there, working hard, there’s no question with her that she wants to win the race and give all she has. To have those kinds of people working for you, to sail as a team, I think that’s what makes us strong as a team.

“The only reason my name is up there (on the scores) is because of those guys,” said Barkow.  “This team has been together for so long that they really carry me and that needs to be recognized.  

In second place overall was Cory Sertl (Rochester, N.Y.), a two-time Rolex IWKC champion and Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year. Going into today, she was in third place and had to put enough places between her boat and Derby Anderson (Annapolis, Md.) and Anna Tunnicliffe (Plantation, Fla.). At the end of today’s racing, she achieved her goal by scoring a 2-4, while Tunnicliffe finished with 7-2 and Anderson with 11-16.

The top international team was led by skipper Dominique Provoyeur (Capetown, RSA). With her Team Devonvale of Penny Alison, Kim Rew and Lara Dugas, she finished fifth overall. “It’s a fantastic event, I love coming here,” said Provoyeur, who is an Olympic hopeful in the Yngling class.