Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo M75

Women's World Match Racing Tour Event 2 - 2025 Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis, USA - Day 2

by Women's WMRT 6 Jun 04:47 UTC June 4-7, 2025
2025 Santa Maria Cup Day 2 - USA's Bridget Groble/ Bow Down Racing (crew Morgan Collins, Marley Mais, Madison Bashaw) © Ted Morgan

A thrilling second day of racing at the 2025 Santa Maria Cup saw the final four skippers emerge from a competitive qualifying double-round robin stage.

USA's Nicole Breault and Vela Racing Team led the qualifying stage with a combined 12-2 win-loss record to secure the teams semi-final berth. Defending champion Anna Östling/ Team Wings from Sweden were second to qualify with a 11-3 score, joined by USA's Allie Blecher/ Team Baam at 9-5, and Australia's Juliet Costanzo/ Easy Tiger Racing at 7-7.

As the sea-breeze set in from the southeast in front of the Eastport Yacht Club, host of the Santa Maria Cup for over 20 years, the final races of the second round-robin stage were quick to complete with an earlier finish to the day.

Securing the first two semi-final berths, the top seed came down to a crucial and close final match of the last flight of the day between USA's Nicole Breault/ Vela Racing and Sweden's Anna Östling/ Team Wings.

With boats overlapped on the last downwind leg, Breault was able to sail Östling outside of the zone to the finish line where Östling received a penalty. The Swedish team dropped their spinnaker and tacked around as Breault ended up below the lay line to the finish with issues dropping their spinnaker. Östling tacked to starboard and again to port to complete her penalty and crossed the line ahead of Breault. However, the on-water umpires saw it differently and declared that the penalty had not been completed correctly with Breault declared the winner of the match instead.

After a disappointing first round robin stage, USA skipper Allie Blecher and Team Baam found their stride today, dropping just one race and winning six of seven races and advancing the team to the semi-finals.

"We had a great day today after figuring out some of our issues from yesterday" added Blecher. "We were calmer and more collected today and were feeling much stronger in the starts - a good result and pleased to be in the semis."

The fourth and final spot for the semi-finals came down to a deciding match between Australian Juliet Costanzo/ Easy Tiger Racing and Chicago's Bridget Groble/ Bow Down Racing.

After choosing opposite sides of the race course on the first leg, Costanzo and team were able to take advantage of the favoured right-hand side of the course to gain a marginal lead against Groble. Despite an impressive effort by Groble and team to close the gap, the Australians were able to just stay ahead, crossing the line just a boat length ahead of Groble to advance the Australians to the semi-final in their first ever visit to Annapolis and the Santa Maria Cup.

"The last race was a close one" commented Costanzo. "After a long day of racing and a few errors on our side, we were able to pull it together to keep our lead in the last race and we are delighted to get through to the semis. We left a lot out on the race course so we are looking forward to getting back at it tomorrow!"

Juliet Costanzo, AUS/ Easy Tiger Racing (crew Sarah Parker, Clare Costanzo, Rachel Bower). Photo: Ted Morgan

With a spectator turnout expected at the Eastport Yacht Club tomorrow, anticipation is building for Friday's semi-finals with the pairings to be drawn at the mornings skipper briefing. The remaining teams will sail off for the 5th-8th places in a first to two points format.

Full results can be found here.

Related Articles

Fishing: Patterning brown bass
Post-spawn through summer smallies Whitewater Fishing B.A.S.S. tournament pro, Alex Redwine, talks fishing the transition period Posted on 26 Jun
2025 Bahamas Fly-fishing Tournament Series
Anglers to compete across some of The Bahamas' top bonefishing spots The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation announced the launch of Bonefishing Tournament Series that will showcase diverse pristine flats across four islands - Grand Bahama, Andros, Eleuthera and the championship round will be held in Exuma Posted on 20 Jun
Mote leads seagrass restoration initiative
Florida legislature establishes the Seagrass Restoration Technology Development Initiative Seagrasses play a crucial role in the health and resilience of Florida's coastal ecosystems. They provide nursery habitats for keystone species and stabilize shorelines and sediments. Posted on 20 Jun
Maritimo M50 Flybridge & S60 Sedan Video
We speak to Maritimo's Neil McCabe & Phil Candler We talked to Neil McCabe, Maritimo's Design Office Manager, and Phil Candler, Maritimo's General Manager Operations, to find out more about the M50 Flybridge and S60 Sedan during the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. Posted on 17 Jun
“I'm living my dad's dream”
Carl made sure to provide young Kyle the chance to be a seasoned pond hopper Carl Cortiana is about to turn 70, but he still remembers the days four decades ago when he'd cast a practice plug across the living room floor and his toddler son, Kyle, now a highly accomplished Vexus pro on the MLF Toyota Series. Posted on 14 Jun
Stories From The Salt - Ep.6
Insights from PENN's top anglers Whether you're a passionate saltwater angler who eagerly dedicates every spare moment to being out on the water, or you simply enjoy watching the techniques and experiences of others, we invite you to anchor up and learn some valuable insights Posted on 14 Jun
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Six
Episode Six is now live - Are boat shows still relevant? Episode Six - asks the question, 'Are boat shows still Relevant?' We also offer some thoughts on changes and updates. The final episode of Series One is now live Posted on 13 Jun
Scania, Viking showcase renewable diesel
Mack Attack shows outstanding efficiency without compromise in performance of Scania V8 Engines Scania, one of the world's leading manufacturers of engines, announced today the successful demonstration of the performance and viability of renewable marine diesel fuel in a Viking 48 Convertible powered by twin Scania 1,150 HP DI16-liter V8 engines. Posted on 10 Jun
Sportfishing industry applauds decision by NOAA
Elimination of proposed South Atlantic bottomfishing closure The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries withdrew the proposed bottomfishing closure from Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic. Posted on 10 Jun
Marine Auctions: June online auctions
Bidding to open on Friday 20th June The Bidding for the June Online Auction will commence on Thursday 20th June and will end on Thursday 26th June at 2pm AEST. Posted on 7 Jun
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo S Series