Sep 22, 2022
Competition heats up at the 2022 Monmouth Boat Club Women’s Championship
Mary Nicosia and Lee Davidson
After a two-year hiatus, the Monmouth Boat Club Women’s Championship returned bigger and stronger than ever this year. Sixteen women competed in seven Flying Scots on August 27. With three different winners in three different races, the competition was fierce and the outcome undecided until the final leg of the final race.
Three races were held in light, swaying northerly breezes on the Navesink River. In Race 1, Sea Bright’s Olga Maryasis with veteran crew Diane Mess took the start and extended her lead to the finish for a convincing win. JJ Russo of Colt’s Neck with crew Kate Tolstaya and Gloria Chung was second, while Lee Davidson of Fair Haven and Mary Nicosia were third. Eileen Nociolo of Fair Haven and Kelly Busch crossed the finish line in fourth place.
JJ Russo, Gloria Chang and Maureen Lowery
The race was tighter in race two. Despite strong challenges from several competitors, Davidson and Nicosia crossed the weather mark first and maintained their lead for victory. Nociolo and Busch finished just behind, and Team Russo finished third.
Eileen Ewing, behind the 2022 Monmouth Boat Club Women’s Championship, with Mary Nicosia and Lee Davidson
The final race provided the best competition of the day as four boats were in contention for overall victory. The Davidson and Nociolo teams continually changed places to take the lead and found themselves side by side on the course several times. Spectators and members of the race committee marveled at the close proximity of the two boats and speculated on the outcome of the race. Davidson and Nicosia passed the final mark first and were in good position for victory with 20 meters to go when a lull in the wind slowed their boat. Nociolo and Busch finally crossed the finish line first.
“The light winds and strong competitors made these races very difficult,” Davidson said. “The women who raced this regatta for the first time are very impressive.”
