CASTINE, Maine — It was a busy weekend for the Maine Maritime Academy sailing team split across three major regattas — from the Charles River to the Chesapeake Bay. Battling shifting winds, stiff competition, and tactical courses, the team delivered promising early-season performances at the Hatch Brown Trophy at MIT, the Barnett Trophy at Bowdoin, and the Shields Trophy hosted by the U.S. Naval Academy.

Shields Trophy @ Navy – Annapolis, Md.
In Annapolis, the Mariners took on the prestigious Shields Trophy, hosted by the U.S. Naval Academy in their signature fleet of Navy 44s. For most of the team, including the driver and tactician, it was their first regatta at the Naval Academy. Head Coach Patrick Dilalla said that light and shifty winds combined with some tricky behavior from the race committee made for a challenging day of racing Saturday.

After a failed port-tack start in the first race, the rookie team had a strong start in the second race and began punching out into the lead before the RC called the mariners along with several other teams OCS. The Mariners had another great start in the third race but still shaken from the previous race believed they were OCS and turned back—despite the miscue they nearly turned that race into a fourth-place finish. "All in all it was an excellent day of learning for the team, and they were eager to prove themselves on Sunday," said Coach Dilalla.

Sadly the wind did not fill in enough on Sunday for any races to be held, but the Mariners came away with valuable lessons that they hope to build on when they return to the Naval Academy later this season for the MacMillian Cup.

Isaac Thompson – Driver
Sarah Shank – Main Trimmer
Jonah Beasley – Trimmer
Andrew Sicuranza - Grinder
Bea Waterman – Pit
Ryan Becker - Mast
Drake Ried – Bow
Liam Ries – Tactician
Teo Crocetti - Alternate

Hatch Brown Trophy @ MIT – Boston, Mass.
The Hatch Brown Trophy brought together some of the top NEISA teams for a demanding three-division regatta on the Charles River. Known for its unpredictable breeze and tight courses, the Charles didn't disappoint. The race committee attempted to start on time at 1100 but a competing light southwesterly and building southeasterly sea breeze made the wind direction too unstable to set a fair course. Eager to get in the three races per division needed to constitute a regatta, the Race Committee sent the B and C Division sailors—skipper Alistair Knoblauch ('29) and crew Cathleen Rutter ('28) and first year duo Toby Clarkson and Hannah Hills -- out in light but stable southwesterly just above the 4-knot minimum around 2 pm.

With a young roster on the water, the Mariners struggled to stay in the top of the fleet in the light breeze despite good boat speed and starts. "In light air, it's not just about making good decisions—it's about making the boat feel alive. Boat handling becomes everything; every maneuver must generate enough momentum to get you to the next patch of wind," said Associate Coach Delaney Conlogue. "It takes a lot of time in the boat to develop that kind of finesse and consistency—if a team made up mostly of first years can hold on in a level one fleet like that at just their first regatta imagine the possibilities for them as they only get more time in the boat."

A strong Northwesterly filled in just an hour before the cutoff time and as the breeze filled the team found its stride. Unfortunately, races 4A and 4C, which saw the Mariners post solid mid-fleet finishes had to be thrown out as race 4B was unable to be started before the cutoff. The experience proved to be a valuable proving ground, reinforcing the team's upward trajectory and hunger to improve in all conditions.

A Div: Finn Deprez + George White
B Div: Alistair Knoblauch + Cate Rutter
C Divi: Toby Clarkson + Hannah Hills / Isabel Dickson
Alt: Elliot Condon

Barnett Trophy @ Bowdoin – Harpswell, Maine

Up north in Maine, the Mariners sent a young but hungry squad to the Barnett Trophy. The fleet saw moderate breeze and challenging current on this Saturday-only regatta. Eight
races were completed in each division in breeze that ranged from 8-12 knots out of the southeast and a strong flood tide.

"Everyone put in a really solid effort and had a good attitude," said Assistant Coach Sharon Seymoure-Johnson.

Coach Seymoure-Johnson said the conditions in the races showed how little things, like a wide mark-rounding at the gate because of the tide, can result in opportunities to gain or lose boats up the leg.

The team showed excellent progress across both divisions, with improving starts and speed earning mid-fleet finishes—punctuated by a strong fifth place finish by first-year duo Skye Johnson and Gavin Grundei in race 7B--and gaining valuable confidence heading into the heart of the fall season.

A Div: Simone Ford + Taber Allen
B Div: Joshua Herlihy/Skye Johnson + Gavin Grundei

Looking Ahead
With competitive racing under their belts and momentum building, the Mariners now turn their focus to the Callagy Ross Regatta at UVM and the Mrs. Hurst Bowl at Dartmouth.