This is the third Snipe Women's World Championships and the first to appear on the Chesapeake Bay. Severn Sailing Association will host the four-day event and an Annapolis competitor has a real shot at winning.

Lisa Pline, an SSA member and 10-year veteran of the venerable two-person dinghies, nabbed second place in Spain in 1996 in the second Womens Worlds. The two-time champion, Norway's Pauline Book, isn't making it to Annapolis this week putting the pressure on for Pline to do well.

Pline sails with Towson resident Sherry Eldridge.

Sailors from 10 countries have registered and field is up to 30 boats total. Other teams to keep an eye on are Jennifer Rousmaniere, of Boston, the 1998 U.S. Champion. Carol Newman-Cronin, of Newport, will also be on hand and is a top finisher. Kimi Isobe, Japan's national champion, will be on the starting line as will top ten finishers from the last Worlds hailing from Russia and Uraguay.

Snipes are 15.5-foot racing dinghies that originally hit the water in 1931 and has evolved into a modern dinghy that enthusiasts refer to as tactical.

Racing will begin Sunday at 1:15 p.m. Principal Race Officer Phil Richmond is hoping for some nice fall breezes to complete a schedule of two contests Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Parties, of course, are set throughout the regatta.