Allison Jolly

Who is Allison Jolly?

Allison Jolly is an American sailor and Olympic champion. 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."

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.