NEW LONDON, Conn. —
The U.S. Coast Guard Academy sailing team hit the water in full force this past weekend, competing in five regattas. With strong showings, valuable race experience, and even an unexpected boathouse incident, the Bears continued to build momentum heading into a packed fall season.
New London, Conn. — Competing on home waters in the J/70s, the Bears battled hard at the NEISA Match Race Championship, finishing sixth out of eight teams in this national qualifier. Coast Guard posted a 3–7 record in the round-robin stage with key victories over Bowdoin College, University of Vermont, and Boston College.
In the quarterfinals, the Bears faced off against BC in a competitive best-of-three series. After dropping the first race, Coast Guard stormed back to win the second, setting up a thrilling third and deciding match. Despite a strong effort, the Bears fell just short of advancing to the semifinals.
Unfortunately, a sixth place finish will likely not be enough for an at-large selection to the ICSA Match Race National Championship. Final selections are expected to be announced in late October.
Representing the Academy were Charlie Pohl (Euclid, Ohio) at bow, Ned Jobson (Madison, Conn.) at trimmer, Sarah Evans (Stowe, Vt.) at main, and Tomas Riccio (Rochester, N.Y.) at skipper.
RESULTS
Cranston, R.I. — Coast Guard fielded two teams at the Sherman Hoyt Trophy, hosted by Brown University. Bears 1 secured a seventh place finish, while Bears 2 came in 17th out of 18 teams. The regatta saw seven races completed in competitive conditions.
Bears 1
A Division: Bradley Whiteway (Potomac, Md.) and Isabella Clark (Newport Beach, Calif.)
B Division: Luke Zylinski (Lavalette, N.J.) and Grace Austin (Moorpark, Calif.)
Bears 2
A Division: Richard Pokorny (Brick Township, N.J.) and Gavin VanManen (Rockford, Mich.)
B Division: Peter Judge (Severna Park, Md.) and Olivia Spada (Huntington, N.Y.)
RESULTS
Boston, Mass. — The team competed at the Hood Trophy, hosted by Tufts University. In a regatta marked by light winds and a surprising elevator delay, the Bears placed 11th out of 18 teams. Only four races were completed due to the conditions, and racing was temporarily suspended after two non-Coast Guard sailors were rescued from a stuck elevator in the boathouse. Fortunately, both athletes were unharmed and in high spirits, and racing resumed shortly afterward.
A Division: Joey Richardson (San Diego, Calif.) and Gabriella Fields (Key West, Fla.)
B Division: Gus Fitchtenholtz (Branford, Conn.) and Will Bryant (Lawrenceville, Ga.)
RESULTS
Hanover, N.H. — The women's team finished tenth out of 17 teams at the Mrs. Hurst Bowl, hosted by Dartmouth College. The regatta featured nine races in light and shifty conditions.
A Division: Julia Conneely (Tampa, Fla.) and Allie Nystrom (Centerville, Mass.)
B Division: Meara Conley (Hingham, Mass.) and Sarah Krajewski (Lewes, Del.)
RESULTS
Boston, Mass. — At the Eagle Invite, hosted by Boston College, the Bears placed fourth overall among six teams in a combined division format. With 18 boats on the water, Division B led the team with a fifth place fleet finish.
Division A: Ella Demand (Toms River, N.J.) and Julian Henderson (Camden, Maine)
Division B: Maddie Murphy (Norfolk, Va.) and Austin White (Tampa, Fla.)
Division C: Will Clay (Leonardtown, Md.) and Grace Boudreau (Tequesta, Fla.)
RESULTS
Bears sailing return to action this upcoming weekend with another full slate of events, racing at home in the Danmark Trophy; the A.Y.C. Fall Series 1 at American Yacht Club; Women's ACC Round 1 at the U.S. Naval Academy; the Smith Trophy at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and the SUNY Maritime Open at SUNY Maritime College.
