Allie Blecher joins us this week on the SDYC Sailcast to talk about team and match racing, team BAAM, and recent successes.
The conversation starts with Allie discussing how she got into sailing, growing up at California Yacht Club, and sailing at Charleston. She goes into detail about her team racing and match racing experience, sailing the Catalina 37, and the US Women's Match Race Championship.
From there, Allie and host Alli Bell discuss the evolving match racing and talk about what goes into that type of race versus fleet racing.
"There's something to be said for the one on one match race. It’s life or death in some situations and that’s what attracted me to match racing," she said.
During Covid-19, Allie has been spending her time brushing up outside the boat with Dave Perry's online classes. Eventually, she hopes to race in the California Dreamin' event on the coast. After, the two talk about team BAAM, fun memories, how they got started, and the initials behind the name. She tells stories of their time in Detroit sailing in tough weather and currents.
Allie has skippered her team in SDYC's Lipton Cup. She goes over some of her experiences with the Lipton Cup and then talks about what is next for her including training and some unknowns in the world’s current situation.
To finish the episode, Alli Bell asks her advice for those that want to do similar things as she has done.
"Ask questions and don’t be afraid to do something new," she said.