All-Women Crew Makes History in 2025 Annapolis-Newport Race
Annapolis, MD, June 17, 2025 – The 2025 Annapolis to Newport Race marked a historic milestone last week as the J/42 Allegiant became the first all-women crew to finish the legendary 475-nautical-mile offshore race. Under the leadership of skipper Maryline Bossar, the eight-woman team demonstrated grit, seamanship, and smart strategy in one of the East Coast’s most demanding ocean races.
The race began June 6 in Annapolis, Maryland. Bossar and her team navigated the current-heavy Chesapeake Bay and the transition to ocean sailing off the DelMarVa coast with poise and persistence. Enduring days of light air and thick fog, Allegiant surged through the final 24 hours, gaining nearly 30 miles on the fleet before crossing the Newport finish line just after midnight on June 11. Their elapsed time: 4 days, 17 hours, 58 minutes, 52 seconds.
“Allegiant isn’t built for light air, but she’s a rocket in ocean conditions,” said Bossar. “I joked we could’ve used one more day offshore!”
While conditions tested all crews, Team Allegiant stood out—not only for their resilience, but for breaking new ground in the 85-year history of the race. Their 9th-place PHRF finish and 44th overall out of 71 boats cemented their place as the first all-female team to complete the Annapolis to Newport Race.
“We didn’t set out to prove a point about gender,” said Bossar. “This was about competence and camaraderie. Everyone on board earned their spot—and delivered.”
Their historic finish builds on momentum from past efforts, including Maya Hoffman’s 2023 run aboard Kyrie with Team Leading the Change. It also represents a growing wave of women in offshore sailing—this year’s race saw 75 female sailors across mixed crews, a 15% share of the total fleet.
The Allegiant crew—comprising Maryline Bossar, Stefanie Brady, Jayne Durden, Marianna Fleischman, Hannah Garbee, Jordan Hecht, Emma Rosenbaum, and Amanda Warren—see their finish not as a conclusion, but as a starting point for greater representation and inspiration in offshore sailing.
For updates from Team Allegiant, visit allegiantsailing.com or follow them on Instagram @allegiantsailing.
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