ANNAPOLIS, Md. — 

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy offshore sailing team delivered a strong performance over the weekend at the Kennedy Cup, hosted by the U.S. Naval Academy. Widely regarded as the offshore national championship, Coast Guard sailed with grit and consistency to take third place with 28 points in a regatta packed with top maritime programs and service academy rivals

The weekend featured a full range of conditions, from a stiff 10-20 knot westerly breeze on Saturday to lift and shifty northerlies on Sunday. The Bears adapted well to the varying weather, showing composure and teamwork in the big-breeze races and smart tactical execution in the lighter air.

Coast Guard's steady performance led them to beat the U.S. Naval Academy in three of the six races, a major highlight against their longtime rivals on Navy's home waters. The Bears also topped the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the Cal Poly Maritime Academy, both perennial contenders in big boat competitions. Navy, however, outsailed the Bears in the end, taking second place with 19 points. The whole thing was won by the College of Charleston, who totaled 17 points throughout the weekend.

Despite a tough disqualification in one race, Coast Guard's strong finishes in the remaining races were a showcase of the team's speed, decision-making, and depth. "I'm very proud of our team for earning a podium spot," says head offshore coach Lincoln White. "This year has been an incredible team-wide effort of training and competition, well-deserved for Coast Guard sailing. Winning the Kennedy Cup is still on our bucket list, but returning year after year with a podium spot is still a great feeling."

Representing the team was skipper Connor Boudreau (Suffield, Conn.); pit and strategist Alexis Taylor (Mason, Mich.); mast Will Spada (Huntington, N.Y.); spinnaker trimmer Josh Golden (Arlington, Va.); tactician Ned Jobson (Madison, Conn.); bow Ben de Ondarza (West Chazy, N.Y.); headsail trimmer Keith Teague (Dripping Springs, Tex,); mainsail trimmer Sarah Evans (Stowe, Vt.); and alternate Tommy Friedman (Newton, Mass.).

With the result, the Bears once again showed they belong among the nation's elite offshore programs, which will provide a confident step forward as they head into the spring 2026 season.