Ready for J24 World Championships
After one of our strongest seasons yet, with a thirteenth-place finish at J24 National Championships and winning the Marblehead NOOD, we are ready to compete against the best J24 teams in the world. This week we will challenge over eighty other teams from around the world during five days of racing on Biscayne Bay in Miami, Florida.
Our team is full of unbelievable female sailors and when we come together as a team and do well, it is exhilarating. The last time we competed in a J24 World Championship we took home the Jaeger Trophy as the Top Female Team; this year we aim to win it again.
Competing with me will be Hillary Noble, Katie Drake, Karen Renzulli, Emily Carville, and Joy Martin.
Joy Martin, our Down Wind Trimmer, has been on the team for many years at this point and brings wisdom that helps all of us.
“I am thrilled because we are coming to this regatta at the peak of our performances for the last three years. I am anticipating close competition as we are sailing against the best in the world. I hope we will place in the top third of the fleet. We hear every week how we are inspiring other women’s and coed teams. We hope to live up to their expectations!”
Hillary Noble will be calling tactics. She and I must work as one to get the boat going as fast as we can in the right direction. We've honed our communication style and know what to say and how to say it to get the most out of each other.
“I am nervous and excited—in good ways, positive ways—which makes me feel more competitive and confident. I’m mentally preparing by doing research about the area, finding local knowledge, getting an understanding of the currents and the course area. Competing at the Worlds is special to me personally because I've been part of this amazing team for a few years now and we've worked very hard to get better each time.”
Karen Renzulli Fallon will be on the bow. This job is absolutely one of the most intense on the boat and is a deeply physical challenge.
“There is something really special about being on a team where everyone is working her hardest towards a common goal. I look forward to Miami sailing conditions: plenty of breeze, sunshine, and flat water.”
Emily Carville is one of the newer team members but a very experienced sailor. She is a rock on this team and fits right in as if she's always been with us.
“I am super excited to be joining Sea Bags Women’s Sailing Team at Worlds this year. Conditions on Biscayne Bay in open water will be unique.”
Katie Drake will be trimming up wind. I do not know a better female J24 trimmer in the country—perhaps the world.
Follow along our journey at Worlds on Facebook and Instagram.