If you saw the results of the William and Mary Spring Open, which took place over March 28-29th, you would have seen the Christopher Newport University Captains at the top of the leaderboard. The team posted 65 points across A and B divisions to beat 2nd place University of Virginia with a 10 point lead after 10 races. It was the kind of result teams work toward all season, built on hours of practice and consistency across both divisions. However, the timing tells a different story.
Just days earlier, the University announced it would discontinue its sailing program at the end of the academic year, ending more than fifty years of competition. For the sailors, the season now unfolds under a different reality.
On March 23, 2026, Christopher Newport University announced that it would discontinue its sailing program at the conclusion of the academic year.
The decision, described as “difficult”, will bring an end to a program that has been deeply a part of the University’s identity. In a statement, University leadership cited a “full consideration of alternatives” and a need to align resources with institutional priorities.
Sailing at CNU dates back to the early 1970s as a club team before gaining varsity status in 1980. Over the decades, the program established itself as a consistent presence within the Middle Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association (MAISA), producing competitive results and developing well-rounded student-athletes.
In recent years, that success has continued. The team earned back-to-back appearances at the ICSA Women’s National Semifinals in 2024 and 2025, while also producing All-Academic honorees and solid finishes across conference competition.
The decision to cut sailing also lands with a certain level of dissonance. Christopher Newport’s identity is closely tied to its nautical roots. The University’s teams compete as the Captains, a name and brand built around maritime tradition. For many connected to the program, that connection makes the announcement harder to reconcile.
The announcement defines the future of the program. For the sailors currently on the team, it has already reshaped the present.
I got the chance to connect with Josh Bendura ’26 about what the past weeks have been like for the team and what the program has meant to him over his four years at CNU.
A Richmond, Virginia native, Bendura grew up sailing out of Fishing Bay Yacht Club, competing along the East Coast in Optis before transitioning to the ILCA circuit. Sailing was a constant throughout his childhood, ultimately shaping his college decision. “CNU was one of the only schools in Virginia where I could compete on a varsity sailing team,” he said. “And a place where I felt like I would be more than just a number.” Over four years, Bendura found both a competitive outlet and a close-knit environment that, in his words, he “would certainly choose again.” He points to the demands of the team as shaping not just his work ethic, but his identity. “It has felt like not just a college sports team to me, but a family and a home at CNU.”
Since the announcement, that sense of stability has been shaken. “To be honest, it’s been hard,” he said. While Bendura notes that, as a senior, he is less directly impacted than underclassmen, the abruptness of the decision has been difficult to process. “It’s really heartbreaking to see all of the work the team and myself have put in disappear in an instant.” What stands out most to him is not just what is ending, but what will no longer continue. “I felt like I’ve been trying to help build a program that would create success for years to come beyond me. Knowing that the younger sailors won’t be able to continue that legacy feels terrible.”
The response from the sailing community has offered a sense of perspective. “The support we’ve received has been nothing short of amazing,” Bendura said. “It truly means the world.” Even as uncertainty surrounds the future of the program, his connection to the sport remains unchanged. With plans to continue racing beyond college, Bendura emphasized that sailing is something he hopes to stay involved in for life.
As the situation continues to evolve, the future of CNU Sailing remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is the level of investment in ensuring that programs like this are not lost quietly.
In conversations with organizers working closely with the CNU sailing community, I’ve learned that the focus right now is clear: turn support into action.
One of the most immediate ways to help is by reaching out directly to university leadership. Supporters are encouraged to send thoughtful, constructive emails that express why the program matters and, where possible, offer ideas or resources. Those involved emphasize that volume matters, and that consistent, solution-oriented outreach can help demonstrate both the level of support and the potential for a path forward.
There is also a push for tangible support. This can include financial contributions, sponsorship opportunities, industry connections, equipment support, or creative ideas that help address program costs. Specific, actionable offers are especially valuable at this stage.
Contact information for university leadership will be included at the end of this article.
Support for the current sailors extends beyond the decision itself. At S1D, we encourage members of the broader sailing community to keep the team members in mind — whether that means offering crewing opportunities, staying connected, or simply showing up in support.
Alumni are also being asked to help quickly organize and strengthen the network. Anyone who sailed at CNU, or knows someone who did, is encouraged to reach out to Justin Ailsworth ‘04 ([email protected]).
For now, the Captains are still racing, working to put together results that reflect everything the program has built over decades. What happens next will depend not just on the decision already made, but on the response that follows.
Sail 1 Design will continue to follow this story as it develops and share updates as information becomes available.
If there’s something happening in the one design sailing world you think deserves attention, we want to hear it. You can reach out to [email protected].
Key contacts:
Kyle McMullin, Director of Athletics, [email protected]
Bill Kelly, President, [email protected]
Richard Long, Advancement Office, [email protected]
Dreugh Phillips, Coach, [email protected]
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