CNU Sailing

On Saturday the wind started at 3-5 knot from the W and built to 5-10 from the SW. 6 races were sailed in each division, all courses were W4 with a leeward gate. No breakdowns were reported; one protest was filed and disallowed. Throughout Sunday the breeze never filled in enough to race and the regatta was called at 2 pm. Congratulations to the Cougars team.

The annual SAISA/MAISA Regatta marks the end of the Fall season for CNU. As such and since the Charleston trip is so much fun for the team, we always take a team made up of those sailors who have contributed the most to the team during the season. Our team this year was a good one as the results show, but their great attitude and the shear joy they get from sailing and working together made this a particularly enjoyable one for sailors and coaches alike.

IMAGE: Our Team in Charleston: Kate McClintock, Amy Polhemus, Johanna Faroe, Ben France, and Matt Lythgoe

The competitive level of this event wasn’t as high as the top events and only ODU of MAISA’s elite attended. But this was good, tough racing led by two Charleston teams. Ben and Johanna finished third in their division and our fourth place overall, just one point out of third, was great. I tell the team I’m less concerned with where you place than with what you did to get there and our boat handling, tacking in particular, was vastly improved after a week of drills. We should also make special note of Matt and Amy’s 2nd and 3rd in the last two races. This was Matt’s best collegiate performance and we expect his final season at CNU this spring to be a good one. Of course, Amy’s development as a crew, which has made her one of our best, helped Matt’s performance immensely.

It was simply a great day. Every Alumni Regatta gets bigger and better and this was the best. With winds predicted to be between 20 and 30 with higher gusts, we had doubts. But we sailed five races in the creek in the morning and after lunch the winds were good on the outside for some great racing. We had alumni who sailed prior to 1991 and many who sailed just last year. They came from as far away as New York, many looking older and some with kids. Jim Englert from the 1980s came by but didn’t sail. He said it was a pinched nerve, but we think he was more involved with babysitting chores.

The day was capped with an oyster roast at the James River Marina right across the creek from the center. This affair was courtesy of Marty Moliken, a new member of the Christopher Newport Sailing Foundation and was open to the public as a fund raiser for the team. With all the oysters you could ask for, Sierra Nevada and Michelobe on draft, and all the extras, the party went late. This couldn’t have been better as it gave the alumni time to relive the old days and catch up on what everyone is doing.

A particular thank you and recognition goes to assistant coach, Jim White. He led the organization of the party, severed as grill master for the entire evening, and did Race Committee duty all day long. Thanks also go to Taylor Gray who paired with Jim to run the races and do the scoring. They both did the job to perfection.

IMAGE: Mike Weaver & Kate McClintock

The winners for the day were the unusual combination of Mike Weaver from the ’92 team (the first under the current coach) and, current co-captain, Kate McClintock. Ex skipper/crew and now husband and wife, Keith and Susan Goodwin were the runner ups. Another regular pair during their days at CNU, Justin Ailsworth and Paula Davis were third.

IMAGE: Keith & Susan Goodwin

IMAGE: Justin Ailsworth & Paula Davis

We took better than 600 pictures and the one thing that seemed the same in all – everyone was smiling! Indeed, we have so many photos that we’ll be sending a second e-mail report featuring more of the photos from the day and we are planning to make a disc available with even more.

As the coach, I have always enjoyed this event more than any other. It’s a reminder to me of all the good times we’ve had over the last 17 years and the absolutely great young men and women with whom I have been privileged to work. Everyone has fun and for one day in the year, all that counts is being there.

Pairs and Scores
1. Mike Weaver (S92-S95) & Kate McClintock (current team) – 23 points
2. Keith (F94-S98)& Susan Goodwin (F93-F97) - 37 points
3. Justin Ailsworth (S99-S03) & Paula Davis (F01-S05) – 49 Points
4. Ben France, current Co-captain & Matt Lythgoe, current – 52 Points
5. Will Summers (F02-S07), and Megan Murray (S05-F06) – 62 Points
6. Will McCabe () & Becca Hornick (current team) – 63 points
7. Jo Faudree (S96-S98), & Amy Polhemus (current team) – 63 points
8. Kenny Presgraves (F95-F97 ) & Tyler Million (current team) – 74 points
9. Ronbert Auerbach (S96-F00 ) & Johanna faroe (current team) – 81 points
10. Allan Witt (F05 – S06), Brian Huntsman ( -F91) & Daniel Johnson (current team) – 86 points
11. Jeremiah Dull (S98-S01) & Jerrica Nichols (current team) – 96 points
12. Joe Ambrogne (F00-S04) & Lynn Ball (current team) – 105 points
13. Nick Drake (F98-S00) & Karyn Burhman (F98-F99) – 122 points

IMAGE: Ben France & Matt Lythgoe

IMAGE: Will Summers & Megan Murray

IMAGE: Will McCabe & Becca Hoenick

IMAGE: Kenny Presgraves & Tyler Million

IMAGE: Brian Huntsman & Daniel Johnson round ahead of Will McCabe & Becca Hornick

IMAGE: Alan Witt & Daniel Johnson

IMAGE: Jon Farudree & Amy Polhemus

IMAGE: Jeremiah Dull & Jerrica Nichols

IMAGE: Robert Auerbach & Johanna Faroe

IMAGE: Nick Drake & Karyn Buhrman

IMAGE: Joe Ambrogne & Lynn Ball

IMAGE: Our super Race Committee at work