Bridging culture through the mutual love of sailing, the goal of the Youth Sailing Exchange (YSE) is for young competitive sailors to experience, first hand, life abroad. By living with a host family, learning a new language, training with a local team and racing at local and national regattas, sailors will gain new international friendships as well as understandings. Since it started last year, this summer’s exchange will truly embody the program’s intended meaning, as it will see American and Spanish sailors traveling to and from each other’s countries.
For the first half of the summer, two Annapolis based Optimist sailors will travel to Catalonia, Spain to train and race with the Optimist race team from Club Náutico El Balís (21 miles from Barcelona) under international coach Magda Resano. There, they have an exciting July planned with one week of training, a few weekend regattas at nearby clubs and a trip to France where they will compete in the Atlantic Watersport Games, the International French Championship, in Pays de la Loire, France. In addition to sailing, during their free time, sailors will enjoy sightseeing in Barcelona and experience daily life as a Catalan, truly a unique region of Spain.
At the end of July, six Catalan sailors will join their friends traveling to the U.S. and join the American sailors on their home waters in Annapolis, Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay. They will train at Annapolis Yacht Club under Head Optimist coach and volunteer YSE program coordinator Tomás Ruiz de Luque, as well as coached by renowned Optimist coach Juan Carlos Romero. To round out the summer of practicing and racing in local events, sailors will travel to Newport, RI in early August to compete in the Optimist New England Championship.
With an incredible itinerary lined up, it is hard not to wish you could be a junior Opti sailor again. What will hopefully be an unforgettable summer is not with out the generosity of many supporters such as AYC and CN El Balís for providing boats and equipment free of charge, host families who have opened up their homes, and the immense efforts of organizers and coaches. This support is evidence of a shared belief in what this program can offer our sailors.
The YSE originally got its name from the obvious fact that it was meant to provide an opportunity for sailors to participate in an exchange program of the traditional sense. However, the program is also an exchange of community, family, and teams, which sailors will not get just doing international regattas. In addition to personal-growth, such as developing independence, responsibility and maturity, young sailors will have the chance to see that people are not all so different from each other. Undoubtedly sailors will gain a more open-minded perspective, cultural understanding, and greater curiosity. Instilling this at a young age can help avoid developing misconceptions of others altogether. In this way we can strive to use our sport as just one way to help make this world a better place.
The YSE is looking to expand to other clubs around the U.S. and internationally to include sailing programs in all types of international youth one design boats for sailors of all ages. The only prerequisite to participate is to be willing to embody everything the YSE wants to achieve.
If this sounds like something you or your home club would be interested in, please don’t hesitate to visit the website: www.youthsailingexchange.com, Facebook page: www.facebook.com/sailingexchange or email us at [email protected]
While the mission of the YSE will never change, our hope is to see the program continue to grow and expand so that we reach a much wider audience and make this an opportunity for junior sailors all over the world.
Look for more news at the end of the summer as the YSE wraps up!
Blog
How to Grow Sailing: A Wellington, New Zealand Case Study
By Airwaves writer Sara Morgan Watters ([email protected]). Sara is our “down under” correspondent, writing for Sail1Design while she works toward her Master’s Degree. Enjoy.
How to Grow the Sport of Sailing: A Wellington, NZ Case Study
If you talk to anyone in Wellington about sailing, the chances are pretty good that they aren’t picturing you lounging on a sailboat in the sun with a book and cocktail. New Zealanders tend to know what sailing is. In fact, 9 months after the fact, they are still likely to bring up their bitterness and disappointment toward the America’s Cup.
In April when Prince William and Kate Middleton began their royal tour in New Zealand, it was only natural that something sailing related was one of the country’s welcoming activities on their holiday itinerary. Team New Zealand America’s Cup skipper, Dean Barker and Prince William teamed up to take on The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate, and Team New Zealand Team manager, Grant Dalton to do some head to head match racing with the royals at the helm.
These are just some examples of how widely sailing is supported in this country. Maybe only second to rugby. So what makes a country so fond of sailing from layman to expert? With a lot of recent talk and concern about growing the sport of sailing, it may be useful to examine just a few reasons why sailing is so widely popular in New Zealand. Looking at just one recent development in the Wellington area, we can see an example of how they are doing it.
Over the last 3 years a big effort has been made to increase participation in all types of water related sports in Wellington through a program called the Wellington Ocean Sports Centre, which is based out of Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club near the Wellington city center. Although the program includes many water activities like stand up paddleboard, waka ama (traditional outrigger canoes), kayaking, windsurfing, and dinghy and keelboat sailing, exposure to water sports of any kind has undoubtedly contributed to an increased interest in sailing. Since it was started three years ago, an impressive 11,980 people have participated in the program. At the center of it all is Wellington Ocean Sports Centre Project Manager, Matt Wood who gave me a little insight into how the program runs and how it has contributed to the sport of sailing.
Financial support for the program has come both from the national and local government. The Wellington City Council applied on behalf of the Ocean Sport Centre to Sport New Zealand, a government organization dedicated to sports and recreation in New Zealand. Other financial and logistical support has come from other local partnerships like Water Safe New Zealand, Wild Winds, Wellington Windsurfing Association and other local clubs and associations. All of these groups have worked together to help build the program.
The Centre runs by making these different sports accessible to the general public. Without having to commit to multiple week programs, the Ocean Sports holds “Have A Go” days on the last Saturday of every month to give people the opportunity to discover different ocean sports at the very low cost of 5 NZD (4.36 USD)! They also team up with schools during vacations to encourage students to experience the different sports. As Wood says, having multiple complimentary sports available, exposes people to different opportunities and opens up to a new group of participants.
Within sailing, in addition to the “Have A Go” days, they also offer, keelboat and dinghy sailing courses. With Learn to Sail Keelboats, to Racing and Cruising Crew courses, the Centre aims to give those interested the opportunity to go from complete novice to sailing in regattas or being competent enough to own your own boat. To cater to everyone’s interests other options include business and group harbor sailing cruises. Through these programs they have been successful, with many participants in the program going on to crew regularly during the summer and winter series regattas and some even chartering or buying their own boats eventually. Finally, if that isn’t enough, the Centre also offers Coastguard boating education and powerboat courses.
When asked how this program contributes directly to the sport of sailing, Wood said that in addition to sourcing new participants, the program helps channel people to the yacht clubs and gets them on a path to be able to race and compete in high performance sailing. He says, the Centre does not do the actual high level coaching, but rather it establishes the pathways so people can advance independently. By partnering with local yacht clubs and associations, the Centre can help give participants the basic skills they need to filter them into these more advanced opportunities.
By providing these opportunities to a range of people from a variety of backgrounds and ages, they are opening the sport up to those who otherwise wouldn’t be aware of these sports. It also helps close the gap between people who learn to sail growing up doing the summer programs and those that want to learn how to sail as an adult.
As the numbers show, the program has been very successful so far in reaching many Wellingtonians. As the Centre reaches the end of its’ three year benchmark they are looking forward to the program continuing to grow even without the help of its governmental subsidies. They are also hoping to move into the next phase of building their own facility. As Wood said, everything is in place now, and they look forward to forming new partnerships and continuing to work with all groups in order to move forward.
For more information about the Wellington Ocean Sports Centre: www.oceansports.org.nz
Also, just posted on the Sail1Design Career Center, a sailing industry job in NZL!
Read more in Part II of this article: https://www.sail1design.com/growing-sailing-national-level-part-ii/
NOTICE of RACE: Free State Team Race
For those lucky enough to have sailed (and partied!) in a Charles Rive Team Race of the past, you know what to expect from this brand new event. The Free State Team Race aims to bring back a quality provided boat dinghy team race to the summer schedule. Annapolis Yacht Club and the Severn Sailing Association will provide Club 420s and logistical support. Racing will take place as close as possible to Severn Sailing for great spectating and easy boat rotations. Navy Head Sailing Coach, Ian Berman, will serve as PRO to keep racing fast and efficient. Registration is $100/boat ($300 per team) and includes use of boats, dinner and beer on Saturday evening (Party!), and snacks and beer after racing on Sunday. The regatta is open to the first 12 teams to register but may be expended to 16 so get your team together ASAP. http://www.regattanetwork.com/event/8607
Hosted by Annapolis Yacht Club and Severn Sailing Association
Annapolis, MD
July 12 – July 13, 2014
PROVISIONAL NoR
1 RULES
1.1 The regatta will be governed by the 2013-2016 Racing Rules of Sailing, Appendix D- Team Racing Rules, and the ICSA Collegiate Dinghy Class Rules.
1.2 Protests will be heard via 3-minute justice. There will be no on-the-water umpiring.
2 ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY
The regatta is open to the first twelve (12) teams who submit entry forms for all team members. A team is not considered registered until all six (6) team members have submitted their entry forms and fees electronically. The regatta may be expanded in size in groups of four (4) teams at a time, however no more than sixteen (16) teams will be accepted.
3 FEES
3.1 Entry fee is $100/boat. Registrations submitted after 2300, 7/5 will be subject to a late fee of $25/boat. Registration will close on 7/10 at 2300. Registration will be available on Regatta Network at this link: http://www.regattanetwork.com/event/8607
3.2 A damage deposit of ($500/ team) will be secured by credit card at check-in on 6/12. This damage deposit amount does not limit the liability of a competitor for damages to the equipment.
3.3 Fee will include use of boats, cookout/casual dinner on Saturday after racing with provided beer, snacks, and provided beer Sunday after racing. Additional food and drinks will be available for purchase during racing (see below).
4 SCHEDULE
Saturday July 12
0900 – 1000 Check-in
1000 Competitors’ meeting with racing to follow ASAP
1730 Social event, AYC Annex (including beer for of-age competitors and dinner)
Sunday July 13
1000 Report time with racing to follow ASAP
1530 No new rounds started after
1630 Awards and provided beer
5 MINIMUM CREW WEIGHT
5.1 The combined weight of the entire six-person team shall not be less than 870
pounds. Each team whose combined weight is less than this amount shall carry corrector weights while racing, the amount of which will be one pound of corrector weight for each pound of team weight less than 870 pounds. Corrector weights shall be distributed among the boats of a team to make the combined weight of skipper and crew of each of the three boats as even as practicable.
5.2 Providing corrector weights shall be the responsibility of the competitors. Only water in sealed jugs shall be acceptable. Competitors shall carry the corrector weights in every race, from boat to boat, and shall secure them in the cockpit of each boat with their own lines. Competitors who fail to do so risk disqualification from all races sailed without the necessary corrector weights.
5.3 Competitors will be weighed in at check-in prior to racing on Saturday. Competitors will be weighed in a light shirt, shorts and no socks or shoes.
6 SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
The sailing instructions will be available during check in 07/12 beginning at 0900, and will be posted on the notice board at AYC.
7 VENUE
Competitor’s meetings and social events / awards will be conducted at the AYC Junior Sailing Annex located at 310 1⁄2 Sixth St. Sailing will take place in Annapolis harbor just off the SSA dock and rotations will take place in the SSA basin. During racing, the SSA snack bar will be open from approximately 1000 to 1500 and will be serving breakfast burritos, burgers, fish tacos, as well as other gourmet sandwiches, drinks, and beer for purchase.
8 CLASS
AYC and SSA provided Club 420s and sails shall be used.
9 SCORING and FORMAT
9.1 The regatta format will be determined by the Regatta Chairs and PRO based onnumber of teams and racing conditions. Possible formats include, but are not limited toround robins with all teams, round robins with portions of the field, a Swiss League, andpossible knock out series.
9.2 Scoring will be in accordance with Appendix D, except as modified by the Sailing Instructions.
9.3 The Digital “N” course will be used and is illustrated in Appendix 1
10 SAFETY
10.1 Un-seamanlike, unsafe, and/or reckless boathandling that damages and/or risks damage to boats and/or endangers competitors and/or spectators will be grounds for disqualification and removal from the event at the discretion of the Race Committee.
10.2 Competitors shall wear USCG approved Type III Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) at all times while afloat, except for brief periods while changing. “Floatation aids” (Zhik, Baltic) are not permitted to be worn by competitors.
10.3 Failure to comply with 10.2 will be grounds for disqualification from all races sailed in violation of those instructions.
11 DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
Competitors participate in the regatta entirely at their own risk. See rule 4, Decision to Race. The organizing authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personal injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the regatta.
12 LOGISTICAL INFORMATION
12.1 Competitors are encouraged to bring refillable water bottles. Water coolers / drinking fountains are available both at AYC and SSA.
12.2 18 of the provided 420s are at AYC, 6 at SSA. Boats will be returned to their berths after racing each day. Competitors are the report to AYC each morning and will be given an opportunity to rig SSA boats following the competitor’s meeting.
12.3 Please see Appendix 2 for approximate regatta locations.
Regatta Chairs
Brendan Healy: [email protected]
Russ O’Reilly: [email protected]
Johnny Norfleet: [email protected]
Additional Information
Joel Labuzetta
Sailing Director, Annapolis Yacht Club [email protected]
(m) 585-734-1186
COLLEGE SAILING ANNOUNCES 2014 ALL-AMERICAN TEAM
June 11, 2014
Contact: Jen Vandemoer Mitchell | Toile à Voile for ICSA | [email protected] | 763-234-8286 m.
COLLEGE SAILING ANNOUNCES 2014 ALL-AMERICAN TEAM IN AWARDS SHOW
Austin, Texas (June 11, 2014) – In an online awards show this evening, produced by Chris Love Productions, the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) announced the 2014 All-American Team for the first time in this format. Fifty-two sailors were awarded this great honor. The names of the winners will be added to the ICSA Hall of Fame display located in the Robert Crown Center at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
A committee of coaches who represent the seven conferences in the ICSA selects the ICSA All-American Team. To select an All-American skipper, the committee evaluates a competitor based on their competitive record in inter-conference competition as well as conference and national championships. The committee analyzes how this record compares to fellow competitors, the quality of the competition the record was achieved in, the span of the record over the fall and spring seasons, results achieved with different crews, and how the record compares to previous All-American winners in past years.
For All-American crew selections, the committee uses criteria similar to skipper selection, but also considers: demonstrated leadership (may consider seniority), outstanding body mechanics and boat handling skills as well as proven ability to improve the results of the skipper(s) with whom he or she sails.
Here are the names of the members of the 2014 All-American Team.
ICSA Honorable Mention Coed All-Americans
Ryan Davidson (Newport Beach, Calif.), College of Charleston ‘16
Esteban Forrer (Tucson, Ariz.), Old Dominion University ‘16
Joshua Greenslade (Smiths, Bermuda), St. Mary’s College of Maryland ‘14
Michael Grove (Lafayette, Calif.), U.S. Naval Academy ‘14
Mary Hall (Seminole, Fla.), U.S. Naval Academy ‘15
Kevin Laube (San Diego, Calif.), Stanford University ‘14
William McDonald (Newport Beach, Calif.), Roger Williams University ‘15
Alex Post (Chicago, Ill.), Georgetown University ‘15
ICSA Coed All-Americans
Ian Barrows (St. Thomas, USVI), Yale University ‘17
Kieran Chung (Newport Beach, Calif.), Stanford University ‘15
William Haeger (Lake Forest, Ill.), Tufts University ‘14
Graham Landy (Norfolk, Va.), Yale University ’15 (College Sailor of the Year)
Raul Rios (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico), Boston College ‘16
Jake Reynolds (San Diego, Calif.), College of Charleston ‘16
Christopher Segerblom (Costa Mesa, Calif.), Yale University ‘14
Fletcher Sims (Annapolis, Md.), St. Mary’s College of Maryland ‘14
Nevin Snow (San Diego, Calif.), Georgetown University ’16 (Finalist for College Sailor of the Year)
Matthew Wefer (Glen Head, N.Y.), Dartmouth College ‘14
ICSA Crew All-Americans
Alexandra Asuncion (Knoxville, Md.), U.S. Naval Academy ‘15
Charlotte Belling (Newport Beach, Calif.), Yale University ‘16
Alicia Blumenthal (Bellport, N.Y.), College of Charleston ‘15
Jacob Bradt (Bethesda, Md.), Harvard University ‘16
Louisa Chaffee (Warwick, R.I.), Brown University ‘14
Chloe Constants (Annapolis, Md.), Old Dominion University ‘14
Eugenia Custo-Greig (Miami, Fla.), Yale University ‘14
Katia DaSilva (East Greenwich, R.I.), Georgetown University ‘15
Katherine Gaumond (Mill Valley, Calif.), Yale University ’15
Paula Grasberger (Salem, Mass.), Tufts University ‘14
Shelby Hamilton (San Diego, Calif.), Boston College ‘14
Kelly Merryman (Severna Park, Md.), St. Mary’s College of Maryland ‘14
Elizabeth Morrison (Signal Mountain, Tenn.), U.S. Naval Academy ‘14
Justine Morrison (Merrimac, Mass.), U.S. Coast Guard Academy ‘14
Yuri Namikawa (Palo Verdes, Calif.), Stanford University ‘14
Carolyn Ortel (Annapolis, Md.), Stanford University ‘14
Avery Plough (Portola Valle, Calif.), Dartmouth College ‘14
Amanda Salvesen (Annapolis, Md.), Yale University ‘14
Lisa Sukharev-Chuan (Temple, N.H.), Massachusetts Institute of Technology ‘16
Julia Wiesner (Rochester, N.Y.), Old Dominion University ‘14
ICSA Honorable Mention Women’s All-Americans
Nikole Barnes (St. Thomas, VI), U.S. Coast Guard Academy ‘17
Rachel Bryery (Jamestown, R.I.), University of Rhode Island ‘17
Clerc Cooper (New Orleans, La.), College of Charleston ‘15
Megan Grapengeter-Rudnick (Darien, Conn.), Brown University ‘17
Marissa Lihan (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), U.S. Naval Academy ‘14
Grace Lucas (Little Silver, N.J.), College of Charleston ‘14
Sarah Mace (Newport Beach, Calif.), Stanford University ‘14
Molly McKinney (Sarasota, Fla.), Stanford University ‘14
Hannah Vincent (Santa Barbara, Calif.), Massachusetts Institute of Technology ‘14
Kelsey Wheeler (Osterville, Mass.), Dartmouth College ‘14
ICSA Women’s All-Americans
Marlena Fauer (New York, N.Y.), Yale University ’14
Mary Hall (Seminole, Fla.), U.S. Naval Academy ’15
Morgan Kiss (Holland, Mich.), Yale University ’15 (Finalist for Women’s Sailor of the Year)
Deirdre Lambert (Portland, Maine), Dartmouth College ’15 (Women’s Sailor of the Year)
Erika Reineke (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), Boston College ’16 (Finalist for Women’s Sailor of the Year)
The Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) is the governing authority for sailing competition at colleges and universities throughout the United States and in some parts of Canada. Visit www.collegesailing.org to learn more.
The ICSA sponsors and partners are: LaserPerformance (www.laserperformance.com), title sponsor of LaserPerformance Men’s and Women’s Singlehanded National Championships and Official Boat Supplier of the ICSA Spring National Championships. Sperry Top-Sider (www.sperrytopsider.com), title sponsor of the Sperry Top-Sider / ICSA Women’s National Championship; Gill North America (www.gillna.com), title sponsor of the Gill / ICSA National Championship; Quantum Sail Design Group (www.quantumsails.com/), official sponsor of the “Quantum Women’s College Sailor of the Year”; Annapolis Performance Sailing (www.apsltd.com), title Sponsor of the APS / ICSA Team Race National Championship; Marlow Ropes (www.marlowropes.com/), presenting sponsor of the “Marlow Ropes College Sailor of the Year Award” and Official Rope of College Sailing; US Sailing (home.ussailing.org), supporting sponsor of the ICSA National Championships.
Contact: Jen Vandemoer Mitchell | Toile à Voile for ICSA | [email protected] | 763-234-8286 m.
COLLEGE SAILING ANNOUNCES 2014 ALL-AMERICAN TEAM IN AWARDS SHOW
Austin, Texas (June 11, 2014) – In an online awards show this evening, produced by Chris Love Productions, the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) announced the 2014 All-American Team for the first time in this format. Fifty-two sailors were awarded this great honor. The names of the winners will be added to the ICSA Hall of Fame display located in the Robert Crown Center at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.
A committee of coaches who represent the seven conferences in the ICSA selects the ICSA All-American Team. To select an All-American skipper, the committee evaluates a competitor based on their competitive record in inter-conference competition as well as conference and national championships. The committee analyzes how this record compares to fellow competitors, the quality of the competition the record was achieved in, the span of the record over the fall and spring seasons, results achieved with different crews, and how the record compares to previous All-American winners in past years.
For All-American crew selections, the committee uses criteria similar to skipper selection, but also considers: demonstrated leadership (may consider seniority), outstanding body mechanics and boat handling skills as well as proven ability to improve the results of the skipper(s) with whom he or she sails.
Here are the names of the members of the 2014 All-American Team.
ICSA Honorable Mention Coed All-Americans
Ryan Davidson (Newport Beach, Calif.), College of Charleston ‘16
Esteban Forrer (Tucson, Ariz.), Old Dominion University ‘16
Joshua Greenslade (Smiths, Bermuda), St. Mary’s College of Maryland ‘14
Michael Grove (Lafayette, Calif.), U.S. Naval Academy ‘14
Mary Hall (Seminole, Fla.), U.S. Naval Academy ‘15
Kevin Laube (San Diego, Calif.), Stanford University ‘14
William McDonald (Newport Beach, Calif.), Roger Williams University ‘15
Alex Post (Chicago, Ill.), Georgetown University ‘15
ICSA Coed All-Americans
Ian Barrows (St. Thomas, USVI), Yale University ‘17
Kieran Chung (Newport Beach, Calif.), Stanford University ‘15
William Haeger (Lake Forest, Ill.), Tufts University ‘14
Graham Landy (Norfolk, Va.), Yale University ’15 (College Sailor of the Year)
Raul Rios (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico), Boston College ‘16
Jake Reynolds (San Diego, Calif.), College of Charleston ‘16
Christopher Segerblom (Costa Mesa, Calif.), Yale University ‘14
Fletcher Sims (Annapolis, Md.), St. Mary’s College of Maryland ‘14
Nevin Snow (San Diego, Calif.), Georgetown University ’16 (Finalist for College Sailor of the Year)
Matthew Wefer (Glen Head, N.Y.), Dartmouth College ‘14
ICSA Crew All-Americans
Alexandra Asuncion (Knoxville, Md.), U.S. Naval Academy ‘15
Charlotte Belling (Newport Beach, Calif.), Yale University ‘16
Alicia Blumenthal (Bellport, N.Y.), College of Charleston ‘15
Jacob Bradt (Bethesda, Md.), Harvard University ‘16
Louisa Chaffee (Warwick, R.I.), Brown University ‘14
Chloe Constants (Annapolis, Md.), Old Dominion University ‘14
Eugenia Custo-Greig (Miami, Fla.), Yale University ‘14
Katia DaSilva (East Greenwich, R.I.), Georgetown University ‘15
Katherine Gaumond (Mill Valley, Calif.), Yale University ’15
Paula Grasberger (Salem, Mass.), Tufts University ‘14
Shelby Hamilton (San Diego, Calif.), Boston College ‘14
Kelly Merryman (Severna Park, Md.), St. Mary’s College of Maryland ‘14
Elizabeth Morrison (Signal Mountain, Tenn.), U.S. Naval Academy ‘14
Justine Morrison (Merrimac, Mass.), U.S. Coast Guard Academy ‘14
Yuri Namikawa (Palo Verdes, Calif.), Stanford University ‘14
Carolyn Ortel (Annapolis, Md.), Stanford University ‘14
Avery Plough (Portola Valle, Calif.), Dartmouth College ‘14
Amanda Salvesen (Annapolis, Md.), Yale University ‘14
Lisa Sukharev-Chuan (Temple, N.H.), Massachusetts Institute of Technology ‘16
Julia Wiesner (Rochester, N.Y.), Old Dominion University ‘14
ICSA Honorable Mention Women’s All-Americans
Nikole Barnes (St. Thomas, VI), U.S. Coast Guard Academy ‘17
Rachel Bryery (Jamestown, R.I.), University of Rhode Island ‘17
Clerc Cooper (New Orleans, La.), College of Charleston ‘15
Megan Grapengeter-Rudnick (Darien, Conn.), Brown University ‘17
Marissa Lihan (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), U.S. Naval Academy ‘14
Grace Lucas (Little Silver, N.J.), College of Charleston ‘14
Sarah Mace (Newport Beach, Calif.), Stanford University ‘14
Molly McKinney (Sarasota, Fla.), Stanford University ‘14
Hannah Vincent (Santa Barbara, Calif.), Massachusetts Institute of Technology ‘14
Kelsey Wheeler (Osterville, Mass.), Dartmouth College ‘14
ICSA Women’s All-Americans
Marlena Fauer (New York, N.Y.), Yale University ’14
Mary Hall (Seminole, Fla.), U.S. Naval Academy ’15
Morgan Kiss (Holland, Mich.), Yale University ’15 (Finalist for Women’s Sailor of the Year)
Deirdre Lambert (Portland, Maine), Dartmouth College ’15 (Women’s Sailor of the Year)
Erika Reineke (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.), Boston College ’16 (Finalist for Women’s Sailor of the Year)
The Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) is the governing authority for sailing competition at colleges and universities throughout the United States and in some parts of Canada. Visit www.collegesailing.org to learn more.
The ICSA sponsors and partners are: LaserPerformance (www.laserperformance.com), title sponsor of LaserPerformance Men’s and Women’s Singlehanded National Championships and Official Boat Supplier of the ICSA Spring National Championships. Sperry Top-Sider (www.sperrytopsider.com), title sponsor of the Sperry Top-Sider / ICSA Women’s National Championship; Gill North America (www.gillna.com), title sponsor of the Gill / ICSA National Championship; Quantum Sail Design Group (www.quantumsails.com/), official sponsor of the “Quantum Women’s College Sailor of the Year”; Annapolis Performance Sailing (www.apsltd.com), title Sponsor of the APS / ICSA Team Race National Championship; Marlow Ropes (www.marlowropes.com/), presenting sponsor of the “Marlow Ropes College Sailor of the Year Award” and Official Rope of College Sailing; US Sailing (home.ussailing.org), supporting sponsor of the ICSA National Championships.
Changing Perspectives on Defining Success: Severn School’s 2013-2014 Season
By Airwaves writer Emma White
My high school, Severn School, has a strong sailing tradition. The school once served as the prep school for the US Naval academy. Our mascot is an Admiral. Former Severn sailors populate the top college programs. So, defining success last season for Severn seemed easy. But, by the end of the season, we measured success in a new way. Our team learned that the definition of success is not always clear. Instead, it varies for every person, every situation, and every team.
We started last fall without our two most talented team members, who graduated last May. Once our team was established, we set our sights on our vision of success: qualifying for Mallory and Baker Nationals.
But, the beginning of the spring season brought a new challenge. We experienced some “team drama” that tested individual relationships and undermined our ability to think as a team. By mediating an express-all-your-feelings conversation with the entire team, our coaches swiftly managed the situation and reunited our team spirit. In a quick turnaround after overcoming the drama, we won the first regatta of the season: MDISA Fleet Race Championship. This regatta was sailed at Washington College over the course of two rainy days. Despite the dismal weather, Severn was focussed and united. Our starting sailors, Nick Floyd and Evan Morgan (A division skipper and crew) and Grace Lucas and me (B division skipper and crew) performed consistently. On the water and ashore, the team was as corinthian as our team Mascot. The Washington College assistant coach,Tom Pierson, was so impressed with our conduct he invited us back to practice with the team.
Next, with spirits still high from the fleet racing qualifiers, Severn arrived to the MDISA Team Race Championship with confidence. At this qualifier we achieved third place, losing to Annapolis High School and Broadneck High School — two older and very talented teams.
Recognizing that we still needed extra work and progress to qualify for nationals, the team worked harder. We helped each other rig and de-rig to maximize efficiency and time on the water. We speed tested. We conversed after every drill reviewing what worked and what did not work. We had the right attitude and spirits as both MASSA qualifiers approached.
But, the MASSA Fleet Race Championship unexpectedly unraveled for our determined team. By repeating mistakes, falling out of the groove too often, and lacking mental resilience, Severn placed fifth and did not qualify for Mallory Nationals. Our morale sank, especially the seniors’ who would not have another chance to make Mallory.
Despite our discouragement, Severn’s three coaches helped the team recoup and channel disappointment into motivation to qualify for Baker Nationals. Practice hours were extended. More classroom chalk talks occurred during the school day. Guest sailors joined our practices. Everyone worked harder than ever before. All hands were on deck, excuse the pun, as we trained for MASSA Team Race Championship. All we cared about was qualifying for Baker.
When the regatta finally arrived the team was excited to get on the water and prove our skill. Severn’s Admirals sailed valiantly until the end, but yet again, we were confronted with a devastating result. It seemed unfair that after all the hard work and every team member’s dedication, we did not reach our goal — we accepted a third place plaque, but did not qualify for Baker Nationals.
With the season behind us, and our graduating seniors soon to join some great college teams, we have had time to reflect on the season. Yes, sailing in nationals would have been an incredible achievement and great experience. But, over the course of the year, the Severn Sailing team grew and succeeded in other ways, and I could not be happier to be part of such a great family. All of our Admiral teammates are better sailors because we learned we could overcome difficult challenges. Now, we are a tightly knit group. We have become better teammates and better competitors. And, appreciate the importance hard work and dedication. Next year, Severn School will be more motivated than ever — so other teams in the area: Look out!
In the end, Severn achieved success this year, though not in the form we expected or hoped. We rose to challenges and grew as sailors, competitors, teammates, and people.
Walt Disney once said: All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles, all my obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.”
While no one needed a trip to the dentist this season, Walt Disney’s words are right on. The Severn sailing team ended the season stronger and with more team spirit than when we started. And that is clearly success!
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