College Sailing Spring Nationals in Charleston

The Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) will culminate the college sailing season when the three spring national championships are held May 23 to June 2. Top schools from across the USA have advanced through the seven conference qualifiers to descend on hosts South Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association and the College of Charleston at the J. Stewart Walker Sailing Center in Mount Pleasant, SC.

“We are really excited to host these events and to offer such great racing and spectator options,” says Greg Fisher, the director of sailing at College of Charleston. “The weather at this time in Charleston typically brings a steady sea breeze and warm temperatures as well as a good current, it will be excellent racing conditions.”

The last time that the College of Charleston hosted these events was in 2006.

“We are fortunate to have Ryan Davidson, former C of C Team Captain, PRO all three events,” notes Fisher. “Ryan was PRO for the High School Mallory in 2016 and the 2015 ICSA Match Race Nationals. We also have Steve Wrigley, who has served both on and off the water as an International Judge, International Umpire, U.S. Sailing National Umpire and U.S. Sailing Senior Judge. Steve is assembling an equally impressive team to work with him. We are fortunate to have Steve as our Chief Umpire/Judge for all three events.”

May 23-26: Women’s National Semi-Final and Final Championship
The Sperry College Sailing Women’s National Semi-Final and Final Championship will sail Club Flying Juniors (CFJs) and Z420s on Charleston Harbor and the Cooper River. The first two days of racing will be the Semi-Finals, which is divided into two 18-team regattas. The top nine teams from each group will then advance to the Finals Round – an 18-boat regatta, which will determine the championship standings on the final two days. Details.

May 27-29: Team Race National Championship
Sixteen of the country’s best team race teams have qualified to compete in the LaserPerformance College Sailing Team Race National Championship. Sailors will again be competing in FJs and Z420s on Charleston Harbor and the Cooper River. The first round of racing is a single round robin with all 16 teams of three boats competing against each other. The top eight from this round will advance to a single “championship” round robin followed by a “final four” round robin, both of which will only be sailed in Z420s. The top three teams and national champions will be determined from the final four. Details.

May 30-June 2: Coed National Semi-Final and Final Championship
The Gill College Sailing National Semi-Final and Final Championship will sail Club Flying Juniors (CFJs) and Z420s on Charleston Harbor and the Cooper River. The first two days of racing will be the Semi-Finals, which is divided into two 18-team regattas. The top nine teams from each group will then advance to the Finals Round – an 18-boat regatta, which will determine the championship standings on the final two days. Details.

Source: Jennifer Mitchell |Toile à Voile for ICSA