Allison Jolly was one of 10 inductees into the National Sailing Hall of Fame this month. 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.  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.  Born in St. Petersburg, Florida, Jolly began sailing at the age of 10 and attended the Florida State University 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.  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.

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