Only Hollywood could have scripted a more dramatic and exciting finale as racing for US Sailing's Rolex International Women's Keelboat Championship (Rolex IWKC) came to its nail-biting conclusion on September 1 on Lake Ontario. When the 36 teams of all-women sailors - who hail from 16 U.S. states, Canada, Great Britain and The Netherlands - left Rochester Yacht Club on the final morning, there were eight races on the scoreboard and a very tight point spread among the top-three in the standings. First overall was skipper Anna Tunnicliffe, the defending champion, followed by Sally Barkow, equal on points at 24. Just five points back was local favorite Cory Sertl, while Carol Cronin and JoAnn Fisher rounded out the top-five tied on 38 points. The goal was to complete an 11 race series, which meant there were three races on the day's schedule. After Tunnicliffe posted an 18th in the tenth race, the focus turned to Barkow and Sertl who were now tied with a six point margin on Tunnicliffe. With only 30 minutes left before the 3:00 pm deadline, the 11th and final race of the day began in 10-11 knots of breeze from the east. But the race would conclude with a protest between the two leaders. While Barkow won the race, she lost the protest, which awarded Sertl the title. Sertl has won this title twice previously: as crew for Betsy Alison at the first running of this event in 1985 at Ida Lewis Yacht Club in Newport, RI; and as skipper in 2001 when the event was held at Annapolis Yacht Club in MD. A two-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year, Sertl has competed in the Rolex IWKC 11 out of the 14 times is has been held over the 26 years since its inception. Final Standings - Top 5 of 36; 11 races with one drop 1. Cory Sertl/Amy Moran/Annemarie Cook/Jane Mastrandrea, 39 pts.
2. Anna Tunnicliffe/Debbie Capozzi/Molly O'Bryan Vandemoer/Liz Bower, 44 3. Sally Barkow/Annie Lush/Alana O'Reilly/Jacqueline Campbell, 54 4. Carol Cronin/Margaret/Bonds Podlich/Karina Vogen Shelton/Kim Couranz, 58 5. Kirsten Werner/Samantha Webster/Brandy Cocoroch/Katelyn Thompson, 60. Visit http://riwkc.ussailing.org for complete results, video and more.