Scuttleball: We have a Champion!

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
In a defensive performance for the ages, Michigan won the men’s college basketball national championship game 69-63 over UConn. The Wolverines had been the high scoring darlings throughout the 2026 tournament, but with both teams struggling from the outside, this was a battle in the paint. With the bigs of Blue, they were not to be denied.

Also not to be denied was Ben Capuco – the 2026 Scuttleball champion. He took the lead after the field was reduced from 64 teams to 16, and with Michigan as his Champion, he rode the Ann Arbor bus to the Finals. But his lead was not insurmountable, and a loss would have given David Florence the title. While UConn covered the 6.5-point spread, Capuco gets the W.

Despite Purdue winning the 2026 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament Championship, defeating Michigan 80-72, the Wolverines had a lot of love in Scuttleball. Their victory rocked the scoreboard, with 16 of the top 17 picking Blue. Props to Florence for salvaging fifth overall, and to Ken Redler for embracing his son’s school (Purdue) to finish 19th.

In a remarkable fall from grace, early Scuttleball leader Clare Brock tumbled to DFL. As for my experiment to let AI win me the title, I wasn’t much better. As for everyone in between, thanks for taking your shot and making Scuttleball the best pool for sailors.

For complete standings, click here.

BACKGROUND
In 1988, the College Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament prompted a bunch of friends in Annapolis to initiate the Scuttleball pool. Creating March Madness brackets is a massive American tradition and Scuttleball would determine who was the best baller in sailing. Early records are foggy but here are the confirmed champions:

2026 – Ben Capuco
2025 – Matt Brock
2024 – Kathy Alven
2023 – Buttons Padin
2022 – David Krupka
2021 – Arthur Libby
2020 – Cancelled/Pandemic
2019 – Jim Lodico
2018 – Kris Matthews
2017 – Bruce Nairn
2016 – D Contraire
2015 – R Dub
2014 – Steve Pennington
2013 – Allan Terhune