Sailor Q&A

Betsy Alison, Newport, RI - USA

Betsy won the first Women’s Match Racing World Championship in Dubai in 1998. She is currently the coach of the US Disabled Sailing Team.

QUESTION: Do you have any nicknames?
ANSWER: None that I know of….

QUESTION: Are you superstitious?
ANSWER: Not Really

QUESTION: If you were a dog, what kind of dog would you be?
ANSWER: Answer 3
Mine. I am currently working on acquiring a Canine Companion to work with the US Disabled Sailing Team of which I am the Head Coach. This dog would “have to go to work” each day at various yachting facilities, working with the physically challenged sailors on mental conditioning and relaxation exercises on the docks and from a coach boat. Not a bad life for a pup!

QUESTION: Favorite part of match racing?
ANSWER: Pre-start tactics

QUESTION: Name your dream team and who you would like to be racing against in a final series?
ANSWER: Gilmore and his boys and we’d be up against whomever had just won the tour

QUESTION: Who has had the most influence on your life?
ANSWER: My grandmother

QUESTION: Who is your biggest fan?
ANSWER: My niece

QUESTION: Who is your sailing idol?
ANSWER: Don’t really have one – lot’s of folks that have my utmost respect

QUESTION: If you were going to create a reality TV show what would it be about?
ANSWER: Following select Olympic athletes in their quest

QUESTION: If you were a superhero, what power would you have?
ANSWER: Read minds….

QUESTION: What was your best subject in school?
ANSWER: Science

QUESTION: Who taught you to sail and how old were you?
ANSWER: Intro by my Dad and lessons at Metedeconk River Yacht Club in New Jersey – I was 7

QUESTION: What is your favorite ride at an amusement park?
ANSWER: Roller coasters!!!!

QUESTION: What is your most annoying habit?
ANSWER: I stop listening when I am bored

QUESTION: Besides sailing what is your favorite sport?
ANSWER: Skiing

QUESTION: What is the best thing about your home town?
ANSWER: What’s not to like about Newport????

QUESTION: If you could travel to anywhere in the world where would it be?
ANSWER: Africa – to go on safari or Galapagos – before they get spoiled

QUESTION: What is the most important item in your ditty bag?
ANSWER: The multi-tool

QUESTION: What is one thing that you feel WIMRA could do for you?
ANSWER: Have a consolidated schedule of events, explanations of the ranking process and a way for new folks to get involved