Women sailors poised for Keelboat Race

Women's Open Keelboat Championship 2009

The Women's Open Keelboat Championship is set to kick off at the Royal Southern Yacht Club on July 4th.

Louise Morton will be back to defend her title on board the quarter-tonne “Espada”. Also taking part is the boat “Jambahla” that previously came 2nd in the J-109 Western Solent Championship and will be crewed by Team Breast Cancer Care. This year the Open Keelboat Championship is raising money for the cancer charity.

Other contenders looking to stake their claim include Lucy Burn (fresh from her 4th place in the RYA Women's Olympic Class Match Racing qualifiers) helming Kirsty Apthorp's J-109 “J Dream”, and Becky Walford and Sarah Wallis have entered “Jahmali.”

Sarah Allen, who recently won the Warsash Spring Series Spring Championship and the Founder's Salver, placing 2nd overall in her class, is keen for the title - as is Sally Pike who will be heading the championship sponsor team “Coffin Mew.”

Prizes for the winning crew include a custom-made trophy and Dubarry sailing kit. Following the event, organisers are putting on a 'Frocks and Flipflops' party.

The Women’s Open Keelboat Championship provides an opportunity for 100% female crews - something that, until last year, was unavailable on the Solent racing calendar. Any level female sailor can enter.

Tickets are on sale from the Royal Southern Yacht Club - www.royal-southern.co.uk. For more information on the Championships, visit www.wokc.co.uk