Allison Jolly
Encyclopedia
Allison Jolly is an American
sailor
and Olympic champion. Jolly began sailing at the age of 10 and attended the University of Florida
where she won the National Collegiate sailing championships in 1975 and 1976. In 1976 she placed second in the European women's championship, and also took second place in the Timmy Angsten Regatta. In 1977, at the age of 20, she became the youngest woman ever to win the Yachtswoman of the Year Award from the New York Yacht Club
, "considered the top prize in yachting."
After college, Jolly worked as a computer programmer in Valencia, California
to support her sailing. She bought her first boat with $8,000 that she and her husband had saved for a down payment
on a house. Her husband, Mark Elliot, also worked as a computer programmer and raced as a sailor.
In 1987, Jolly and her sailing partner Lynne Jewell
entered the Olympic trials for the 1988 Summer Olympics
. Despite a poor start in the qualifiers, the two rose to the top and won a spot. After qualifying, Jolly was "considered a long shot" in the event. In the first race of the games, Jolly and Jewell placed third, and in the next race, their boat capsized twice, but the two managed to stay in contention. After finishing strong in their remaining races, the two won the gold medal in the 470 Class
with a convincing lead over the competition, causing the Washington Post to write that they "blew the competition out of the water." Jolly and Jewel were the only American sailors, male or female, to win a gold medal in the games. Their victory helped to promote the involvement of more women in sailing competitions.
Immediately after returning from the Olympics, Jolly continued sailing, entering the US Yacht Racing Union's Championship of Champions with her husband only three days later. In the Championship of Champions, Jolly raced a Snipe
instead of the 470 she had raced in the Olympics and had a difficult time adjusting to the boat differences. As a result, she and Elliot placed ninth. In 1994, Jolly applied to join the first-ever all female team in the America's Cup
yachting race, organized by Bill Koch
. In a decision that shocked the yachting world, Jolly was cut from the team after tryouts and training, as was Lynne Jewell
.
Jolly continues her sailing passion working at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus
as a sailing coach for the Women's Varsity team.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sailor
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
and Olympic champion. Jolly began sailing at the age of 10 and attended the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
where she won the National Collegiate sailing championships in 1975 and 1976. In 1976 she placed second in the European women's championship, and also took second place in the Timmy Angsten Regatta. In 1977, at the age of 20, she became the youngest woman ever to win the Yachtswoman of the Year Award from the New York Yacht Club
New York Yacht Club
The New York Yacht Club is a private social club and yacht club based in New York City and Newport, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1844 by nine prominent sportsmen. The members have contributed to the sport of yachting and yacht design. The organization has over 3,000 members as of 2011. ...
, "considered the top prize in yachting."
After college, Jolly worked as a computer programmer in Valencia, California
Valencia, California
Valencia is an affluent planned community located in the City of Santa Clarita, California and Los Angeles County, California, U.S. in the northwestern corner of the Santa Clarita Valley, adjacent to Interstate 5. In 1987, it was one of the four unincorporated communities that merged to create the...
to support her sailing. She bought her first boat with $8,000 that she and her husband had saved for a down payment
Down payment
Down payment is a payment used in the context of the purchase of expensive items such as a car and a house, whereby the payment is the initial upfront portion of the total amount due and it is usually given in cash at the time of finalizing the transaction.A loan is then required to make the full...
on a house. Her husband, Mark Elliot, also worked as a computer programmer and raced as a sailor.
In 1987, Jolly and her sailing partner Lynne Jewell
Lynne Jewell
Lynne Jewell is an American sailor and Olympic champion.She won a gold medal in the 470 Class at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, together with Allison Jolly.-References:...
entered the Olympic trials for the 1988 Summer Olympics
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
. Despite a poor start in the qualifiers, the two rose to the top and won a spot. After qualifying, Jolly was "considered a long shot" in the event. In the first race of the games, Jolly and Jewell placed third, and in the next race, their boat capsized twice, but the two managed to stay in contention. After finishing strong in their remaining races, the two won the gold medal in the 470 Class
470 (dinghy)
The 470 is a double-handed monohull planing dinghy with a centreboard, Bermuda rig, and centre sheeting. The name is the overall length of the boat in centimetres . The hull is fibreglass with integral buoyancy tanks. The 470 is equipped with spinnaker and trapeze, making teamwork necessary to...
with a convincing lead over the competition, causing the Washington Post to write that they "blew the competition out of the water." Jolly and Jewel were the only American sailors, male or female, to win a gold medal in the games. Their victory helped to promote the involvement of more women in sailing competitions.
Immediately after returning from the Olympics, Jolly continued sailing, entering the US Yacht Racing Union's Championship of Champions with her husband only three days later. In the Championship of Champions, Jolly raced a Snipe
Snipe (dinghy)
The Snipe is a foot, 2 person, one design racing dinghy. Designed by William Crosby in 1931, it has evolved into a modern, tactical racing dinghy with fleets around the world. The Snipe is simple, making it easy to sail and trailer. The boat is recognized by the International Sailing Federation as...
instead of the 470 she had raced in the Olympics and had a difficult time adjusting to the boat differences. As a result, she and Elliot placed ninth. In 1994, Jolly applied to join the first-ever all female team in the America's Cup
America's Cup
The America’s Cup is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht club that currently holds the America's Cup and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging...
yachting race, organized by Bill Koch
Bill Koch (businessman)
William Ingraham "Bill" Koch is an American businessman, sailor, and collector. His boat was the winner of the America's Cup in 1992. His last name is pronounced "coke." Per Forbes William Koch's net worth was $3.4 billion in 2010 on oil and other investments-Early life and business...
. In a decision that shocked the yachting world, Jolly was cut from the team after tryouts and training, as was Lynne Jewell
Lynne Jewell
Lynne Jewell is an American sailor and Olympic champion.She won a gold medal in the 470 Class at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, together with Allison Jolly.-References:...
.
Jolly continues her sailing passion working at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus
University of South Florida St. Petersburg
The University of South Florida St. Petersburg , commonly known as USF St. Pete, is an autonomous campus in the University of South Florida system, located in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida by the Tampa Bay waterfront...
as a sailing coach for the Women's Varsity team.