 Betsy
Alison, 5 time Rolex Yachtswoman of the year and
World Woman Match Racing Champion, told an audience
of 70 Lake Champlain Sailors that she owes her
success to teamwork. Alison gave a presentation at
the Ramada Inn in South Burlington on March 27th.
Although she started her 30+ year racing career in
single handed boats, Alison wanted to race with her
friends and that led her to J/24s and other multi
crew boats and more success.
To demonstrate the value
she places on teamwork Betsy have made a habit of
giving her Rolex Watch awards to those that have
supported her including the most recent watch which
she gave to her foredeck crew member of 10 years.
The audience was
treated to a slide show on the ISAF Word Sailing
Championships. A life long dream for Alison was to
win a gold medal and stand on a podium and see the
US flag rise and here the national anthem. In Dubai,
her dream came true. Her team entered two ISAF world
championships, women's fleet racing and match
racing. She came in second in fleet racing and was
down to the match racing event to win the gold.
Training was a big part
of team Alison's plan along with good planning.
While many team members were housed in a tent camp.
Betsy's team was stayed in a nearby luxury hotel.
That fitness paid of when her boat boat's rudder got
hung up on the committee boats anchor line during a
match. While her competitor was bearing down she
jumped off the boat cleared the line and was able to
pull herself back on board her J/22 and continue the
race without drawing a foul.
This event was hosted
by the Malletts Bay Boat Club, Lake Champlain
Community Sailing Center, and Lake Champlain Yacht
Club. The organizers were Janice Lang, Tammy
Ouellette, Marcie Milton, Bibs Francis, Ann Brush
and Rachael Miller. |
