By Lynn Fitzpatrick

December 5, 2009 (Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, ISV) - Maria Ramires (POR) competed in the 2nd Annual Carlos Aguilar Regatta with a very international crew. Maria is the only Portuguese sailor on the boat and the rest of her team is from the US and the Caribbean.

Ramires became interested in match racing when she was 14 years old, but rules about skippering and match racing at home, made it difficult for her to get involved. Willful, she found a way and for the past two years she has sailed all over the world with a lot of different crews.

Ramires has sponsors and partners who enable her to compete and to spread the interest in match racing. Her partners include ANG, her sailing club; Analima, a communications and marketing company; Vela Lusa, a sailing club where she gives lessons; Seawoman, a project that supports women's match racing; and SportTools, a software development company that develops sports technology and tools for improvement. Ramires works for SportTools.

Ramires coordinates her efforts with WIMRA and is even trying to play to the shared heritage between Portugal and Angola to see if there are opportunities to introduce match racing to the African country.

Ramires and her team shared a fun and exciting week of spectacular sailing conditions and will take home and share the memories, friendships and experiences with their friends, families and others who may be interested in becoming involved with match racing.

The international team of Louise Bienvenu, Maria Ramires, Marcy Lake & Sarah Swan at the 2nd Annual Carlos Aguilar Match Race. Photo by Lynn Fitzpatrick