GRANTS OFFERED TO PREPARE WOMEN SAILORS
FOR SEPTEMBER COMPETITION
“Road to Rolex” Clinics Seek Hosts and Instructors

Annapolis, Md. (March 30, 2005) – To foster growth in women’s sailing, Rolex Watch U.S.A. has announced that it will sponsor several 2005 “Road to Rolex” clinics across the U.S. and abroad in preparation for US SAILING’s Rolex International Women’s Keelboat Championship (Rolex IWKC), scheduled for September 17-23 at Annapolis Yacht Club, Annapolis, Md. Organizers are seeking yacht clubs and sailing centers to host the “Road to Rolex” clinics. Since 1997 the clinics have provided women sailors with additional opportunities to hone the keelboat racing skills needed for competition in the Rolex IWKC.

The Road to Rolex clinic program is designed for one- or two-day formats and features an instruction manual developed by five-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year Betsy Alison (Newport, R.I.). Alison, an internationally recognized sailing educator and coach, has won the biennial Rolex IWKC five times.

“The Road to Rolex clinics are designed to be adaptable to a group’s ability level, knowledge of the equipment and skills requiring attention,” said coordinator Nicole Christie of Annapolis. “In 2001 the first international clinics took place in South Africa and Holland, and we’d be thrilled to see more clinics this year outside of the U.S.”

At clinics with more than five boats participating, the host organizer will run a series of short races at the conclusion of the clinic. The winner will have her clinic fee deducted from her entry fee for the Rolex IWKC.

Organizations interested in hosting a “Road to Rolex” clinic should contact Nicole Christie at nicolechristie@aol.com or write in care of Annapolis Yacht Club, Two Compromise Street, Annapolis, MD 21401.

The “Road to Rolex” clinics were initiated in 1997 to provide women sailors with additional opportunities to hone their sailing skills. Locations where past clinics have been held include Rochester, N.Y., Monterey, Calif., Oklahoma City, Okla., Chicago, Ill., and Minnetonka, Minn.

About the Rolex IWKC: Inaugurated in 1985 at the instigation of the US SAILING’s 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. Rolex Watch U.S.A. has sponsored the regatta since its inception. The event is part of US SAILING’s Adult National Championships series.

The Notice of Race is available online at www.ussailing.org/riwkc. For more information about the 2005 Rolex IWKC, register for email alerts at www.ussailing.org/riwkc and www.annapolisyc.org/2005rolex.

About Rolex Watch U.S.A.: Since Rolex Watch U.S.A. first presented timepieces to America’s Cup defenders in 1958, the company has consistently recognized and encouraged excellence in every important arena of competitive sailing, including Olympic Games preparation, US SAILING Championships, disabled sailing, and offshore, one-design and women’s events.

The Rolex IWKC joins other prestigious Rolex-sponsored events including US SAILING’s Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards, the Sydney-Hobart, International Rolex Regatta, Rolex IMS World Championship, Giraglia Rolex Cup, Rolex Swan American Regatta, Rolex Commodores’ Cup and the New York Yacht Club's Rolex Transatlantic Race.

About US SAILING: The United States Sailing Association (US SAILING) is the national governing body for sailing and sailboat racing. Headquartered in Portsmouth, R.I., the organization’s mission is to encourage participation and promote excellence in sailing and racing in the U.S. US SAILING offers training and education programs, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including the US Sailing Teams and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Teams. For more information, visit www.ussailing.org.

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