BRISTOL, R.I. – With another successful performance on the water, the Roger Williams University Sailing team qualified for the Intercollegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) Coed Dinghy National Championships as part of a strong showing this past weekend.
Taking part in the ICSA Coed Dinghy Semifinals in Seattle, Washington, the Hawks placed third out of the 18-team field, and in the process clinched a berth to the championships in June. The Hawks had to overcome sub-optimal racing conditions to earn their way to Nationals.
“Seattle lived up to it reputation for being a particularly rainy city,” said Head Coach Amanda Callahan. “Compared with the warm temps experienced at home this weekend, we were totally bundled up out there. On Saturday, the forecast wasn't great, calling for light winds all day. It didn't look like we were going to get many races in over the course of the weekend, so the plan was to sail conservatively and finish in the top nine to qualify for Nationals.”
Roger Williams was paced by the reigning New England Intercollegiate Sailing Association Sailors of the Week Cy Thompson (St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands) and Kelly Stannard (Salem, Conn.), who won A Division for the second straight week. The duo never finished lower than eighth and ran off top-three performances in five of the ten races, including a win in the final race that vaulted them past regatta winner Yale University for the win in the division. At B Division, Sean Bouchard (Bermuda) and Bianca Rom (Amityville, N.Y.) aided in the Hawks' effort by taking fifth place. Bouchard and Rom placed fifth or better in six of the ten races, earning runner-up in the sixth race of the semis.
“It was great to see both boats sailing so well, we are in good shape for Nationals,” said Callahan. “Both A and B division sailed pretty quickly in the light stuff and kept us close to the top of the leader board. On Sunday the forecast was for stronger breeze from a shifty direction, similar to the conditions we see at home when it blows from the west. Again, both divisions dealt with the flukiness really well, and had some really great comebacks throughout the day.”
Back on the East Coast, the Hawks took part in the George Morris Trophy, hosted by Boston University, where Roger Williams claimed another third-place finish, this time out of 15 teams. Representing RWU in A Division were George Saunders (San Diego, Calif.) and Adrienne White (Duxbury, Mass.), who took third place for the Hawks. After a 13th-place finish in the first race, Saunders and White stormed back with fourth-place-or-better results in seven of the final eight races, including wins in the last two. On the water in B Division were Cameron Pimentel (Paget, Bermuda) and Haley Powell (St. George, Bermuda), with a runner-up performance at the division on the strength of top-seven finishes in all nine races.
At the Southern Series 7, hosted by Salve Regina, Andrew Tamblyn (Little Silver, N.J.) and Dan Goldman (Bradenton, Fla.) claimed the top spot at the regatta, besting the remaining 17 teams to earn the win. The two Hawks began the day with a third-place finish in the first race of the day, then followed with results of sixth, second, second, and sixth in the next four races. Trailing the University of Connecticut 21-19 for the top spot, Tamblyn and Goldman closed out the day with a remarkable four straight wins to take the lead for good.
Roger Williams will take part in the Fowler Trophy for the New England Team Racing Championship this upcoming weekend.
