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by Ken Legler

St. Mary’s College of MD, Horseshoe Bend on the St. Mary’s River

The sailing conditions of St. Mary’s College of Maryland on the St. Mary’s River are superb for college sailing.  The river is lined with scenic estates and farmland.  The area is best described as bucolic.  The river runs seven miles North from its mouth on the Potomac to Horseshoe Bend where the river turns West, then Northwest to its head another two miles up.  The Bend creates a circular sailing area directly in front of the Teddy Turner Waterfront with a nearly one mile radius.  As such every wind direction allows for ample space but with protection from any large waves.  The current is gentle with a bit more at the entrance to the Bend on the south side of the racing area. An additional course area is just around Church Point at the opening to the South and can see more waves and a steadier wind in Southerlies.  This South course in Southerlies can have some geographic shifts toward either shore but not too close to shore where it gets lighter.  This area also gets used in Southerly winds but in any other wind direction they prefer to sail inside the Bend for great viewing from The James P. Muldoon River Center.  If the course is set just outside the opening formed by Church and Pagan Points, the current can have enough push and variation to be worth noting and playing.  Otherwise current is rarely a factor this far up the narrowing river. [Read more…] about Venue Profile: St. Mary's College