Engineer’s Cup
Few institutions are more impressive than Webb Institute. Indeed, we were told that the main building, which is one of the most impressive mansions along the northern shore of Long Island, was used as Bruce Wayne’s mansion in one of the Batman movies. While Webb has been attending many of our regattas, this was the first time we have sailed in their annual Engineer’s Cup Regatta. Frankly, we couldn’t say enough about the hospitality, the facilities and the terrific time we had. Their boats were in great shape, we had grilled burgers for lunch, and they threw a party for all the teams on Saturday night. But it was the buildings and grounds that had us all in awe.
With fewer than 100 students, a very focused course of study (this is one of the premier naval architecture schools in the world) and facilities that have to be seen to be believed, this is quite an educational institution.
Our team consisted of one graduating senior, our two freshmen skippers and two solid crews. We expected to do well in this event and the coach was looking to win the A Division and do creditably in B Division. As it turned out, due some developing talent and, perhaps, some over confidence, we won B Division and did creditably well in A Division. Unhappily, for the third straight regatta we snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the final race of the regatta and we placed second by one point!
IMAGE: Kate, Becca, Amy, Max and Scott
In many ways, this is the best sort of way to lose. We didn’t really lose the event in the last race because every member of the team made at least one mistake during the regatta that, if corrected, could have given us victory. By the same token, every member of the team could have done one thing better that would have made us a winner. So, all shared equally in the failure to win and in the success of placing second.
But this was a very successful event for us as Scott and Max, both freshmen, clearly showed that they are “putting it all together” with their strong finishes in B Division. The photo at the bottom of the page shows the impressive lead that Scott and Becca piled up on their way to a first place finish in the second B division race. There is no doubt that Max and Scott are going to figure prominently in plans for the Fall of 2008. Becca’s crew work has improved all season and Amy earned her award as the “Top Crew of 2008.”
| Scores | A Div. | B Div. | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Ocean County | 21 | 22 | 43 |
| 2. Christopher Newport | 24 | 20 | 44 |
| 3. Rutgers University | 23 | 32 | 55 |
| 4. Webb Institute | 34 | 28 | 62 |
| 5. Drexel University | 28 | 48 | 76 |
| 6. Rochester Institute of Tech. | 64 | 34 | 98 |
| 7. Monmouth University | 54 | 45 | 99 |
| 8. University of Delaware | 40 | 59 | 99 |
| CNU A Division | Kate McClintock Maxwell Plarr Becca Hornick Amy Polhemus |
5-1-1-1-2-3-6-5 |
|---|---|---|
| CNU B Division | Scott Racette Maxwell Plarr Becca Hornick |
2-1-2-3-2-2-1-7 |