Team Baam Emerges Victorious at Women's World Match Racing Tour 2025 Santa Maria Cup Event

A major event on the competitive sailing calendar, the 2025 Santa Maria Cup, recently crowned Team Baam, a US women’s match racing team, as its champions. The team, skippered by Allie Blecher alongside crew members Beka Schiff, Rose Edwards, and Ali Blumenthal Stokes, showed their mettle by defeating the Vela Racing Team skippered by Nicole Breault in a tense light-air final on the Severn River. Hosted by Eastport Yacht Club for over 20 years, the Santa Maria Cup is an essential women’s match racing regatta on the Women’s World Match Racing Tour. The tension mounted on the day of the race, as a long wait for the breeze preceded the crucial final matches. The competitors finally hit the water in front of the renowned U.S Naval Academy as the sea breeze arrived in the early afternoon. Luck didn’t favor the defending Santa Maria Cup champions, Team Wings from Sweden, skippered by Anna Ostling, in their match against the determined Australian team, Easy Tiger Racing. Team Wings secured a hard-fought win against the Australians but their semi-final loss to Team Baam USA thwarted their comeback dreams. Similarly, Breault and her Vela Racing team had a tough day in the event final, outpaced by Team Baam in spite of challenging light-air conditions. Despite the rigorous competition and high stress levels, Team Baam emerged as the deserving champions. Skipper Allie Blecher attributed their success to the unity and competence of their crew, stating their ability to stay focused and maintain a steady level of performance under pressure was key. Reflecting on the showdown, Breault graciously congratulated Team Baam, acknowledging their incredible performance. The Santa Maria Cup event signalled the exciting second stage of the 2025 Women’s World Match Racing Tour. Nicole Breault and Vela Racing sit atop the leaderboard owing to their accumulated 22 points, which includes their second-place standing at the initial event in San Francisco. Competition continues with the third stage of the tour soon to take place in Marstrand, Sweden. The Women’s Tour Executive Director, James Pleasance, enthusiastically awaits the next leg of the championship, eager to see more powerful female athletes showcasing their sailing prowess.