Harvard leads Women’s Nationals

Newport, RI (May 23, 2019) – After two days of qualifying, the field of 36 teams was reduced to the top 18 schools which today began the College Sailing Sperry Women’s National Championship. After Yale, Brown, and Boston College showed their might in the qualifiers, today it was #10 ranked Harvard University that topped the field.

In winds ranging from 10 to 18 knots, the Crimson proved to be the best team of the day, outmatching their opponents who struggled to have both their A Division and B Division teams operating at a high level. Whereas Brown suffered a DSQ in A Division, Harvard stayed out of trouble to stand third in A and a third in B to lead after 10 races.

With A Division in the Club FJ, Harvard was led by Emma Kaneti ’22 with Emma Jakobson ’21 and Jessica Williams ’20 while the B Division team of Taylor Gavula ’19 with Emily Wang ’21 were in the Z420s.

“We had good power in the classic Newport conditions today,” says Mike O’Connor, head coach for Harvard, “We did a good job with our starting, we were in pressure when we needed to be and had good timing and execution downwind. I am really proud of how all of our women sailed today.

“Emma is a smart sailor who has an excellent feel – she works the boat well especially as a freshman – she is level headed, works hard and has excellent focus. I am proud of our B-division, Taylor Gavula and Emily Wang, who have been sailing together for two years. Today was the best it’s ever been for them, they were able to make quick fixes together on the race course.

“The key today was finding the seams in the breeze and watching the current. Tomorrow we will focus on sailing the boats as well as we can in the conditions and if we do that the decisions should be easy.”

On top of A Division is Boston University with Maia Agerup ’20 and Emily Croteau ’19 but only three points separate the top three with Charleston in second and Harvard in third.

Leading B Division is George Washington University’s Aitana Mendiguren ’20 and Sarah Noyes ’20, but their margin is also narrow with Dartmouth five points back and Harvard four more off the lead.

Racing concludes tomorrow with no start after 1700.

Current Results (Top 10 of 18; 10 races)
1. Harvard University, 125
2. George Washington University, 138
3. Brown University, 143
4. Boston College, 149
5. Yale University, 167
6. College of Charleston, 173
7. Dartmouth College, 175
8. Boston University, 176
9. University of Pennsylvania, 187
10. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 195

Event details – Results – Facebook

2019 Spring Nationals
May 21-24 – Women’s Dinghy
May 25-27 – Team Race
May 28-31 – Coed Dinghy

Live coverage will include:
May 23, half day of Women’s coverage.
May 24, full day of Women’s coverage and awards.
May 25, half to 3/4 day of Team Race coverage, release of Women’s recap video.
May 26, full day of Team Race coverage.
May 27, full day of Team Race coverage and awards.
May 28, release of Team Racing recap video.
May 29, full day of Coed coverage.
May 30, full day of Coed coverage.
May 31, full day of Coed coverage and awards.
June 3, release of Coed recap video.

For live coverage… click here.

The 2018-19 season for the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) held the Match Racing Nationals and Singlehanded Nationals during the fall season, with the final three national titles on May 21 to 31 in Newport, RI.