The J/42 Allegiant set a new record in the Annapolis-Newport Race this year as the first all-female crew to complete the race. Contending with extremely light air interspersed with squalls during this year’s 475-mile race, the team persevered and arrived in Newport after four 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,” skipper Maryline Bossar recalled. Despite a slow start in the Chesapeake, they made significant gains during the final day of the race when the fleet saw more typical oceanic conditions.

Allegiant’s efforts followed in the footsteps of Maya Hoffman’s Leading the Change, an all-female team that attempted the race in 2023 but was forced to retire during extreme weather in the initial 24 hours. 

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

Despite Allegiant being the only all-female team, there were also several mixed gender crews, and over 75 women competed across all the fleets (including both SAIL Editor in Chief Wendy Mitman Clarke and Managing Editor Lydia Mullan). Still, women only accounted for 15% of the total registered crew. Team Allegiant hopes to “inspire new possibilities in offshore sailing, highlighting leadership, teamwork, and perseverance,” and contribute to the work that other prominent female offshore sailors have done in recent years to bring more people into the sport. 

The Allegiant crew consisted of: 

Maryline Bossar – Skipper

Stefanie Brady – Pit/Trimmer

Jayne Durden – Strategist/Helm

Marianna Fleischman – Watch Captain/Trimmer

Hannah Garbee – Navigator

Jordan Hecht – Tactician/Helm

Emma Rosenbaum – Foredeck

Amanda Warren – Safety Officer/Trimmer

For more, on Allegiant, visit allegiantsailing.com or https://www.instagram.com/allegiantsailing/ and for more on the 2025 Annapolis Newport Race, stay tuned for an upcoming issue of SAIL magazine.