Elite women sailors make path through Annapolis for Women's World Racing Tour

BALTIMORE -- Only 16 percent of competitors across all sailing regattas are women, according to the sailing world.

But the world's only professional sailing series for women is taking place on the Severn River in Annapolis.

It's the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Santa Maria Cup.

Annapolis is one of four host cities selected for this historic event.

The competition brings in female sailors from Australia, Denmark, Great Britain, New Zealand, Sweden and the United States. 

In these sailboats, the best in women's professional sailing are making their second stop in the 2023 Women's World Match Racing Tour.

"I have been sailing since I was eight," said Anna Ostling, from Sweden. "Actually, I've been sailing since I was just a couple of months but that was on holidays back home in Sweden."

Ostling has sailed all over the world, dominating races with her Swedish crew – "Team Wings."

Now, they're one of 10 all-female teams navigating the course on the Severn River for the 2023 Santa Maria Cup Women's Match Racing Regatta.

The only sailing series for women started this tour in San Francisco.

"Match racing is one of those exciting sports where every venue is a different boat so you're learning the systems as you go," said Megan Thomson, from New Zealand.

Wednesday was day three of the Santa Maria Cup which was revived by Eastport Yacht
Club after a 10-year hiatus.

The boats are all the same (j22s) – but that's about the only constant in a race like this.

"It becomes a test of skill not technology," Chairman Jeff Borland said. "You've got waves and currents happening, so you have to understand all those pieces, plus then, you have to be changing the direction of your boat making boat handling changes putting sails up and down and tacking the boat."

While there's no shortage of skill on these teams, Wednesday's conditions put them to the test.

"Today it's all about focus," Ostling said.

With so many variables, sailors of this caliber have to be good at controlling what they can – themselves.

"You actually can't think of anything else," Ostling said. "You're in this bubble but also it's about controlling your nerves and being calm, at least when you're helming and making all the decisions, so you don't stress."

Ostling said sailing in strong wind is more physically taxing, while lighter wind requires more strategy, quick decision-making and communication.

"The key thing that's not dependent on the weather is teamwork, and that's crucial every day," Ostling said. "The pressure is there sometimes and the stress is up, but at the same time, we always know that everybody on board wants the boat to go fast so, it's nothing personal if we ever collide."

The next stop in the series is France, then the series wraps up in Denmark.