First all-women crew finishes 2025 Annapolis-Newport Race

by Annapolis Yacht Club 18 Jun 01:42 BST

Allegiant Crew Startline - 2025 Annapolis to Newport Race © Annapolis to Newport Race

Allegiant Crew on deck after Finish - 2025 Annapolis to Newport Race © Annapolis to Newport Race

The 2025 Annapolis to Newport Race celebrated a historic milestone last week as the J/42 Allegiant became the first all-women crew to complete the legendary 475-nautical-mile offshore race. Under the leadership of skipper Maryline Bossar, the team showcased remarkable skill, resilience, and seamanship to conquer one of the most demanding ocean courses in the U.S.

The race started from Annapolis, Maryland, on June 6. Bossar's all-female crew aboard Allegiant navigated the current of the Chesapeake Bay, tactical complexities inshore, and shifting winds in the Atlantic, maintaining a steady performance despite the extremely light air and fog - then gaining nearly 30nm on the fleet in the last 24 hours of the race. They sailed into Newport Harbor in the early hours of June 11 with an elapsed time of 4 days, 17 hours, 58 minutes, and 52 seconds. "While Allegiant isn't built for light-air performance, the J/42 excels in the ocean - and this race was no different", Bossar commented. "I joked with the crew that we could have used one more day in the Atlantic!"

Team Allegiant didn't just finish the race. They battled through calms and squalls, fighting for every nautical mile, even if that meant anchoring just before the exit of the Chesapeake Bay when the wind died. They later surfed down waves in 20 knots. Their finish ranks 9th in the competitive PHRF class, 44th out of 71 boats overall - becoming the first all women's crew to ever complete the storied A2N course.

"We built this team around competence and camaraderie—more than gender," stated Bossar. "Each woman brought her best to the challenge, and together we proved that offshore racing excellence comes from dedication, training, and heart."

Many more remarkable sailors contributed to the rise of women participation in amateur offshore racing: there were 75 women sailors in mixed crews who raced to Newport this year, bringing the total share of women to 15% of registered crew.

Allegiant Crew at Awards Ceremony - 2025 Annapolis to Newport Race - photo © Annapolis to Newport Race

While the Allegiant crew made history as the first all-female finish in A2N, they helped close the loop on the challenge Maya Hoffman took on with Team Leading the Change aboard Kyrie in 2023. The milestone performance by Team Allegiant's all-women crew inspires new possibilities in offshore sailing, highlighting leadership, teamwork, and perseverance much like prominent women sailors have done before them at the professional level, such as Pip Hare and Cole Brauer. As the team looks ahead, their message is clear: this isn't just a finish—it's a beginning.

To follow Allegiant Sailing: allegiantsailing.com | www.instagram.com/allegiantsailing