CNU Sailing

Every season is an adventure, each decidedly different from any previous season. This season could be called “The Season of the Tides.” More than any other, we found ourselves sailing where the tidal currents were a major factor with which we had to deal. It all started in Charleston where the currents can send a fleet out toward the ocean and racing becomes impossible. The America Regatta was sailed at New York Maritime, located on the infamous East River off the Bronx. We sailed the ARMY 2on2 on the Hudson River at West Point where the flow can reach well over 5 knots, and it came close on the weekend we sailed there. The James River, where William & Mary sails, is known to run a bit. But the experience we gained in dealing with these conditions will pay off later.

To put the season in perspective it is important to understand that, unlike other sports, the entire team doesn’t go to every event. Road teams of from four to six are pretty typical for us and we will have our “A” team, “B” team, and even at times a “C” team. What may be a poor finish for the “A” team may be a real triumph for the “B” team.

When our “A” team finished 17th out of 18 at the College of Charleston Spring, we knew we were in for a tough season. We did better at the ODU Spring Regatta finishing 5th out of 14 and our “B” team placed 3rd out of eight at our CNU Invitational. The next week we took second at our own CNU 2on2 Regatta.

At the MAISA/SAISA Regatta at Hampton University our “B” team placed 6th of twelve. The following weekend we returned to Hampton for the Spring Qualifier for the America Trophy Regatta, our MAISA Conference Championship. There, Ben France, Jessica Thal, Lynn Ball, and Tyler Million placed 2nd, six points behind Maryland. Clearly, the “A” team was coming up to speed and at the Ocean County 2on2 at Toms River, New Jersey they easily won the event with a score of 13 wins and one loss.

We knew going the Buckeye Open, to be sailed on Lake Erie, that tidal currents wouldn’t be problem. But we were concerned about sailing on the open waters of the lake at a time of the year when the water temperature and the air temperature were in the low 40s. The 180 degrees of open water proved to be bad news with 30+ knots out of the North and racing was impossible on Saturday. Sunday was better, but the race management wasn’t. Still we initially placed 5th out of 14, but this finish improved to 3rd several days later when two teams failed to properly complete their paper work.

At the America Trophy Regatta we went back to figuring out how to deal with current, as the East River was its usual self. Light winds and strong currents ruled. But still, our “A” team placed 12th out of 18, the same finish we posted at the War Memorial in the fall. But this time we were just two points out of 11th whereas in the fall the margin was 9 points, and we beat our good friends from Maryland by seven points.

At the Colony Cup, hosted by William & Mary, the tides and light wind again determined the racing and whether to sail or not. But our “C” team sailed well, giving us a 4th in the regatta, with Taylor Gray and Lynn Ball winning the A Division.

This was the second year we visited the U.S. Military Academy for the ARMY 2on2. This time it was our “B” team of Maxwell Plarr, Meghan Magee, Brennan Russell, and Tyler Myers who had to deal with the difficult conditions. The winds were as light and as fluky as I have ever seen ANYWHERE. This was combined with a strong tidal flow and difficult courses where the water depths of over 150 feet made setting and maintaining courses very difficult. Still, our 4th place finish was quite good for some of our new sailors.

We finished up the season with the Engineer’s Cup at Webb Institute on the south shore of Long Island Sound. Jessica and Lynn, sailing in A Division, won their division with a ten- point margin. Maxwell, Meghan and Taylor Morgan placed 4th in B Division giving the team second place for the event.

I find myself saying every year, “This is the best team yet.” It certainly can’t always be true, but it seems so and I always end up with regrets that not all will be back for the next season. This fall, all of our key players will be retuning. So, we have a lot to look forward to in the coming season.

Ben, Jessica, Tyler (Henry) Million, and Lynn Ball with Maxwell serving as a backup and heavy weather crew sailed well for us with improvement every time out. Newcomer Tyler Myers (still trying to figure out the difference between sailing with two hulls and one) improved rapidly all spring. Brennan Russell improved dramatically all season. Meghan Magee was a most welcome and pleasant surprise. She, Brennan, and Taylor Morgan were the diamonds in the rough that brightened my spring. They are all going to be of great value to the team next fall.

Taylor Gray wasn’t able to practice regularly due to class scheduling but we called on him to sail at W&M and he performed well. Katlin Kitchen and Dara Gruber were never ready for competition, but they were of incredible value at practice. While not all go to every event, all contribute to the team’s success by making our practices challenging. Katlin was our top academic athlete. Dara will not be able to sail in the fall. Another departing team member is Evan Miller who will be transferring to Ohio State University. Evan is a great guy and a genuine team player. We will miss him. Happily, everyone else on the team will be back in the fall and we have at least five very good prospects who can bump us up in the Middle Atlantic InterCollegiate Sailing Association rankings.

Finally, a word of thanks to our two assistant coaches, Matt Lythgoe and Kate McClintock, is due. They made my job a lot easier and made the team much better. Their value to the team couldn’t be adequately expressed.

The best team ever? Perhaps not, but I wouldn’t have missed this season for anything.

Dan Winters, Coach

This was a year in which the team faced real adversity. So often we hear the coach of a professional team, faced with the loss of a key member say, “Everyone else will simply have to step up their game and make up the difference.” Our Spring 2008 team did exactly that. Matt recovered from the loss of two semesters in which he had afternoon classes. Max, expecting to be a skipper, became Kate’s crew and gave the task his very best effort. Taylor and Lynn continued to improve as a team. Scott, not really ready for competition, took the challenge and made the most of it, eventually posting several bullets. Becca, found an enthusiasm for the team and sailing that is making her a valuable crew and we expect she and Scott to be a pair in the Fall.

I will always think of this team as one with the best attitude and team spirit we have ever seen. With each and every one it was always “the team comes first.”

Matt and Kate, our graduating seniors, will both have a place on our Wall of Honor. Both will be remaining local and we expect them to continue in their support of the team. They are among our best ever.

In the course of the school year we visited Ohio State University, Queens University of Kingston Ontario, College of Charleston, Old Dominion University, Hampton University, Georgetown University, Webb Institute, U.S. Military Academy, Hobart/Wm Smith Colleges, University of Maryland, William & Mary, Ocean County College, St. Mary’s College, and Washington College.

We defeated teams from Maryland, Hampton, William & Mary, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Maryland – Baltimore County, Delaware, Princeton, Cornell, Villanova, Ocean County, Loyola, Monmouth, New York Maritime, George Washington, St. John’s, American University, Kings Point, Salisbury, Colgate, Fordham, Queen’s, Webb Institute, Syracuse, Rensselaer, Royal Military College, Rochester, Miami of Ohio, Iowa, Columbia, Drexel, South Florida, Army, Florida, Miami, North Carolina, N.C. State, Ohio University, Providence, Michigan, Michigan State, Owens, Ohio State, Wittenberg, Washington University, Denison, Bowling Green, John Carroll, Penn State, Kenyon, and Rutgers.

A final word of thanks go to those people who helped make the year what it was by sponsoring our events. Bill Saunders from Wachovia Securities of Hampton for the Icefree, Ruth McClintock and the Greater Richmond Sailing Association for the CNU Clinic, and Eddie Hornick of Virginia Road and Bridge Supply for the Grant.

Of course Jim White, our assistant coach, CJ Woollum, our Athletic Director, and the women of the department, Cindy Sutphin, Judy Stenzhorn, and Shanika Ellis are the solid support that keeps us going. Thanks to all.

This year, perhaps more than any other, has reaffirmed for me the value of what we have in the Christopher Newport Sailing Team.

The Spring 2008 Wrap PDF is available here.

— Dan Winters, Head Coach

For this issue of the Christopher Newport Sailing Team Report we are trying a different approach to our review of the season. In the past we have varied between a lot of statistics, pictures and comments. For the Fall of 2007 we will offer a description of the event, its importance to our program, and acknowledging the contributions of the members of the team who sailed. We will also reduce the quality of the pictures slightly to make the report easier to download. By all means, please let us know how you liked this report and pass along any suggestions you may have.

The Fall 2007 Wrap PDF is available here.

— Dan Winters, Head Coach