| Inaugurated in 1985 at the instigation of the USYRU Women’s Championship
Committee, of which Helen K. Ingerson was a long-time Chair, 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 the top national and
international sailors. The Ida Lewis Yacht Club, Newport, RI became host for the event,
and Rolex Watch, USA - sponsor at its inception - subsequently became the title sponsor.
Betsy Alison of Newport R.I. won the first event and from 1991 through 1997 had an unbroken
winning streak competing against teams from a dozen or more nations.
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 will host the championship in 2007.
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