Founded in 1974, the U.S. Women’s Open Championship served the interest of female sailors who wished to compete against other women at the national level in double and singlehanded boats.
The regattas were organized along traditional one design racing lines where boat preparation is a factor, and no eliminations were required. A boardsailing championship was added in 1981. A one-day clinic typically preceded the three-day championship regatta.
The Adams Memorial Trophy for doublehanded sailing was presented by Mrs. Henry (Adams) Morgan. In 2000, a motion to change the event from fleet racing to match racing was passed. The first U.S. Women’s Match Racing Championship was held at Southern Yacht Club, November 11 – 14, 2002.
The Mertz Trophy is awarded to the winner and the Adams Memorial to the runner-up.
To maintain the integrity of the trophy, it will remain on display or in safe quarters at the National Governing Body of the sport – U.S. Sailing Association
Previous Award Recipients
Mrs. Charles Francis Adams Memorial Trophy- Second Place
- 2024 – Lindsey Baab, Elena VandenBerg, Kate Shiber, Kaitlyn Baab
- 2023 – Bridget Groble, Maddie Badshaw, Lucy Klempen, Samantha Foulston
- 2022 – Janel Zarkowsky, Rose Edwards, Annabelle Ayer, and Eva Fortunato
- 2021 – Janel Zarkowsky, Annabelle Ayer, Madeline Gill, Rose Edwards
- 2019 – Giselle Camet Nyenhuis, Dana Riley Hayes, Molly Vandemoer
- 2018 – Allie Blecher, Ali Blumenthal, Beka Schiff, Molly Nobel
- 2016 – Janel Zarkowsky, Meg Six, Meaghan MacRae, Amanda Callahan
- 2015 – Janel Zarkowsky, Rebecca Delendbaugh, Amanda Callahan, Isabelle Luzurlaga
- 2014 – Karen Loutzenheiser, Nicole Breault, Elizabeth Baylis, Hannah Burroughs, McKenzie Wilson, Shala Lawrence
- 2013 – Stephanie Roble, Maggie Shea, Lindsay Duda, Martha Pitt, Janel Zarkowsky
- 2012 – Nicole Breault, Evan Brown, Casey Williams, Julie Servais
- 2011 – Genevieve Tulloch, Alice Manard leonard, Jennifer Chamberlin, Elizabeth Hall
- 2010 – Sally Barkow, Alana O”Reilly, Katie Pettibone, Libby Christy
- 2009 – Anna Tunnicliffe, Alice Manard, Liz Bower, Molly O’Bryan Vandemoer
- 2008 – Geneveive Tulloch, Carrie Howe, Kim Hapgood, Liz Hall
- 2007 – Katy Lovell, Alice Manard, Dana Riley
- 2006 – Katy Lovell, Debby Willits, Elizabeth Emery, Tara Thomas
- 2005 – Katy Lovell, Debby Willits, Alice Manard, Ann Graham
- 2004 – Melissa Purdy, Hannah Swett, Joan Touchette, Whitney Connor
- 2003 – Sally Barkow, Deborah Capozzi, Sarah Buckley, Chafee Emory
- 2002 – Carol Cronin, Liz M. Filter, Linda Epstein, JoAnn Fisher
U.S. Women’s Open Championship (1974- 2000)
- 2000 – Sally Barkow, Debbie Capozzi
- 1999 – Suzy Minton, Leanne Phillips
- 1998 – Charlie Arms, Stacie Straw
- 1996 – J.J. Isler, Jane Stevenson
- 1995 –Nancy Haberland, Carol Newman
- 1994 – Cory Sertl, Judy Lawless
- 1993 – Pease Glaser, Cory Sertl
- 1991 – Jody Swanson, Cory Sertl
- 1990 – Jody Swanson, Cory Sertl & Judy Lugar, Morag McLean (Tie)
- 1989 – Amy Lawser, Susan Lawser & Carol Buchan, Jackie Gollison (Tie)
- 1988 – J.J. Isler, Amy Wardell
- 1987 – Susan Dierdorff Taylor, Cory Fischer
- 1986 – Heidi Zeigler, Linda Penfield
- 1985 – Pease Herndon, Cindy Goff
- 1984 – Pease Herndon, Cindy Goff
- 1983 – Jenny Swett, Liz Shoemaker
- 1982 – Martha Starkweather, Sara Deadrick
- 1981 – Martha Starkweather, Sara Deadrick
- 1980 – Anne Preston, Nelle Alexander
- 1979 – Nell Taylor, Charlotte Lewis
- 1978 – Sandy Ray, Carol Hayes
- 1977 – Jan O’Malley, Pat O’Malley
- 1976 – Diane Greene, Jennifer Lawson
- 1975 – Nell Taylor, Sally Linsay
- 1974 – Nell Taylor, Lisa Coughlin