On Wednesday March 3, 2010, the University of New Hampshire Sailing Centre
burned to the ground. There were no injuries, but over 55 boats, motors,
tools, etc. were totally lost to the tune of over $500,000. The Sailing
Centre is home to the UNH Sailing Team (currently ranked 16th in NEISA), a
combined Junior/Senior High School Sailing Team, and the UNH Community
Sailing Centre, a summer program, which serves youth ages 6 to adulthood and
a junior racing team as well. The fire is still under investigation, but
suffice it to say that the Sailing Centre has no electricity nor were there
any other acts of nature at that time.
The team is a club team and as such raises almost every penny for boats,
equipment, regatta travel, coach’s salaries and so forth. The sailors
maintain all the boats, build the docks and essentially develop an ongoing
deep sense of pride, commitment and leadership by being members of the UNH
Sailing Team. We are extremely saddened by our loss but are grateful for the
many emails, phone calls and offers of support. This team will not be shut
down. We will rebuild the centre, acquire boats and become stronger through
adversity. Hopefully through the support of the greater community of sailing
that process will happen sooner than later. We open our spring season this
weekend at the Thames River Team Race. — Team website:
By Diana Weidenbacker, Head Coach, UNH Sailing Team