Seahawks Finish Sixth at Team Race Championship

Newport, R.I. - Boston College won their second Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) national championship in four days as competition for the ICSA/APS Team Race National Championship (May 30 - June 1) wrapped up Sunday at the New York Yacht Club in Newport, Rhode Island. 

The defending national champions, St. Mary's College of Maryland finished sixth at the championship.  This was the Seahawks' second sixth-place ending in four days as SMCM also came in sixth at the ICSA Women's National Championship in which BC was also crowned the winner in dramatic fashion.

A year ago, St. Mary's claimed the top prize in two out of the three ICSA Championships - the women's and team race nationals.  The Seahawks have one more shot a national title when St. Mary's competes in the ICSA/Gill Dinghy National Championship in Newport as well from June 2 to 4.  Last year, the Seahawks finished sixth.

Day One Highlights: Competitors arrived to a dying northerly breeze that postponed sailing until the early afternoon when a southerly breeze finally filled in.  Group One and Group Two rounds were completed by 6:00.  A total of 42 races were sailed on the collegiate N course in 5-10 knots of wind.  The top four from each group have advanced to the championship round of eight (8) with a first race scheduled for 10:00 am on Saturday.  A double round robin is planned for this group, and a single round-robin is planned for the consolation round (bottom six teams).

Day Two Highlights: Saturday's racing was delayed slightly with passing thunderstorms and showers moving from through from the west.  Once things cleared racing was underway, finishing the championship first round as heavy fog rolled in.  Visibility was difficult for the last races of the round.  The consolation round was completed in heavy fog as well, with South Florida going 5-0.  At 4:30 pm, racing was called for the day as the fog only thickened.  The championship second round and final four will be completed on Sunday, with a better forecast in store.  34 races left to sail.  BC leads heading into the last day with a 6-1 record.

Day Three Highlights: BC makes it two in a row!  After postponing racing ashore for an hour in the morning due to heavy fog, competition got underway by 11:00 am for the second championship round of the top eight (8) teams.  BC distanced themselves from the rest of the fleet, while Brown made the biggest move of the day with a 6-1 record to make the final four.  Georgetown and Charleston made the final four as well with consistent performances.  Racing started in moderate 10-12 knot southwesterly that built to a steady 15-20 knots with decent chop and lots of spectators.  Very close and impressive team racing amongst the top teams.  Congrats to BC on the victory, Georgetown in second, Charleston beat Brown in the last race to take third overall.

Final Results:
1. BC (14-3)     2. Georgetown (11-6)     3. Charleston (9-8)     4. Brown (8-9)      5. Harvard (7-7)     6. St. Mary's (Md.)     7. Stanford (4-10)     8. Navy (2-11)     9. South Florida (5-0)     10. USC (4-1)     11. Wisconsin (3-2)     12. Washington (2-3)     13. Texas (1-4)     15. Notre Dame (0-5)