United States Coast Guard Academy - Department of Athletics - Offshore Sailing

Annapolis, MD--(10/26/08)--Nine cadets from the offshore sailing team left New London last Friday bound for the big boat east coast championships held at the US Naval Academy and sailed in Navy 44s. The offshore team was coming off of a solid result at the Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta (First in the J-44s, Second in J-105s) and was excited to get on the race course with other college teams once again.

A strong low pressure system brought heavy winds to the Chesapeake on Saturday. The morning practice session was a true test of seamanship as the team practiced whisker pole gybeing in 25-30kts of wind. Fifteen minutes before the scheduled start time, the wind built to 35-40kts and the fleet was sent in for the day with no races sailed.

High pressure on Sunday meant light to moderate winds. The Coast Guard team showed great communication and patience in the first two races, staying focused in difficult conditions to win both races by less than one boat length over the second place boats, Navy and URI respectively. Coast Guard held a comfortable lead into the final race and was able to convert with a sixth place finish in the final race. This finish secured first place for the regatta after a tie breaker with the Naval Academy.

The team was honored to receive the first place trophy for the McMillan cup, college sailing’s oldest regatta, from the Naval Academy Commandant of Midshipmen, who commented on the Coast Guard team’s sharp appearance at the awards ceremony. This victory is CGA’s first at the McMillan Cup since 2002.

The McMillan Cup team consisted of:

1/c Nick Custer - Tactician/Team Captain
2/c Eric Johnson - Helmsman
1/c Brian Komlos - Trimmer
2/c Dan Langston - Trimmer
1/c Drew Bacon - Mainsail
3/c Steve Wilson - Halyards, Pit
2/c Trevor Clark - Mast
1/c Kevin Tongue - Bow
2/c Stephen Hills - Alternate

The team will return to the Naval Academy from November 7-9 for the 2008 Kennedy Cup, emblematic of the ICSA Big Boat Championship.