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Meet the Team behind Spite Sailing
The Crew
Marianna Fleischman
Marianna Fleischman
5+ years offshore racing & tactics — including Annapolis to Bermuda and Annapolis to Newport
3+ years experience as watch captain on offshore campaigns
Skilled in live streaming, social media, and website development
Certifications: Offshore Safety at Sea, First Aid
Emma Rosenbaum
Emma Rosenbaum
5+ years racing experience — specializing in one-design sailing on J/Boats
4+ years fundraising and building successful sailing development programs
Race experience: Annapolis to Newport, Annapolis to Bermuda, and extensive Chesapeake Bay racing
Certifications: RYA Day Skipper, Offshore Safety at Sea, First Aid, Coastal Navigation
The Shore Team
Jack Benson
Jack Benson
Technical Director
Lifelong Sailor
Extensive Offshore Record: 6,000+ ocean miles, including ~12 offshore deliveries, Annapolis to Bermuda Race (doublehanded), and Annapolis to Newport.
Hands-On Technical Expert: Comprehensive skills in racing boat refits, epoxy work, line splicing, and mechanics.
Major Projects: Personally refitted and lived aboard a 1978 South African-built Aghulas 45 (Van de Stadt).
Team Role: Serves as the primary technical advisor, manages boat deliveries, and steps in as skipper when needed.
Our Boat
Spite
Classe Mini RG 650 Hull #837
Meet Spite (Hull #837), a 21-foot offshore racing machine built for pure resilience. Launched in 2013, this Classe Mini 6.50 carries a serious offshore pedigree, having already conquered the grueling solo transatlantic Mini Transat and the Bermuda 1-2 under previous owners.
Specification Details
Design RG650 (RioTechna)
LOA 6.50m (21.3 ft)
Beam 3.00m (9.8ft)
Draft 1.60m (5.2 ft)
Previous Names Terminal Leave (PGN Ocean Racing)
Thunder (Vernon Hutzler)
Marianna and Emma met racing Allegiant (J/42) in the 2025 Annapolis to Newport Race, making history as the first all-women’s team to finish.
Marianna is an accomplished offshore sailor and watch captain, while Emma brings years of experience leading and fundraising for sailing programs.
Together, they are Spite Sailing — two women leading the charge to rebuild competition and reshape offshore racing.
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