Allie Blecher new ABYC junior director

by Rich Roberts on 24 Oct 2013 Allie Blecher . . . does the name sound familiar?

Just last weekend she skippered the California Yacht Club team to victory in the 22nd annual Linda Elias Memorial Women’s One-Design Challenge in Long Beach, followed by the announcement that she has been hired as Alamitos Bay Yacht Club's junior sailing director.

Blecher, 25, brings with her a double resume of personal sailing success as well as credentials as the head junior sailing coach at California Yacht Club in Marina del Rey the last few years.

That followed her collegiate career as a four-time all-American at the College of Charleston, climaxed by recognition as the 2010 Quantum Female College Sailor of the Year. She graduated with a major in Corporate and Organizational Communication and a minor in Global Logistics and Intermodal Transportation.

Along the way Blecher also was awarded the sportsmanship award at four championship regattas.

Mark Golison, who chaired the selection committee, said, 'Everyone's excited to have Allie joining us at ABYC. She has a fabulous resume.'

Blecher said, 'I'm really excited to jump into the program and take it to the next level. ABYC is a fantastic club and I'm glad I'll be a part of it. It's going to be a fun time. I'll be in a venue that makes for great sailing. Any day I'm on the water is good.'

At ABYC she will lead an agenda that includes Naples Sabots, Lasers, FJs, 29ers and high school sailing programs.

This year Blecher, who grew up in Fullerton, Calif., and her crew, Helena Scutt of Kirkland, Wash., were elected as US Sailing Sperry Top-Sider Members, targeting the 2016 Olympics in the 49er FX class, along with Olympic gold medalist Anna Tunnicliffe and crew Molly Vandemoer---and ABYC member Sydney Bolger in the Women's 470 class.

While not out on the water, Blecher served on the United States Sailing Association Junior Championships Committee, worked as a web design and newspaper layout intern and as a marketing/public relations intern.