Pirate Sailing Captures First-Ever First Place Finish in Program's 10-year History
Bryan J. Harvey
 Apr. 26, 2005


Newport News, Va. - For the first time in the program's 10-year history, the Hampton University Sailing Team captured a first place finish in a fleet race held over the weekend in nearby Newport News, Virginia. The event, the CNU Open, was hosted by Christopher Newport University.

Instead of being held on the normal James River, which appeared to be too windy for most sailors, the races were moved to inside Deep Creek. The conditions were still challenging, but the Pirates, under the guise of third-year head coach Carolyn Grant, set their sights on this particular event more than two weeks ago and practiced hard for a chance to win.

There were a total of 14 races held in both A and B Division over the weekend. The Hampton A Division squad, consisting of skipper Ray Potter (Antigua) and crew Yasmina Beckles (West Orange, N.J.) and Bryana Nicholas (San Diego, Calif.), finished in first place for seven of the 14 races.

Meanwhile in B Division, skipper Omari Scott (Antigua) and crew Candice Franklin (Atlanta, Ga.) and Nicholas continued the winning ways set forth by the A Division team, and won their division overall. The University of Maryland came in just behind HU by just one (1) point-Hampton (25) and Maryland (26).

According to Coach Grant, it was near-perfect tacking and max-hiking that gave the Pirates big leads upwind, while just good boat speed and smart sailing allowed them the advantage in downwind situations.

Conditions for the weekend were extremely windy, and all teams had problems with the experience on Deep Creek with several capsized boats to show for it. There were no protests filed over the weekend, leaving the regatta with just two words-GREAT RACING. Winds swung in from the west on Sunday, and it was very chilly, but all sailors handled the weather fine and the bulk of the races were settled on Saturday … allowing room for the weather to change on Sunday.

All in all, it was just a great experience for HU Sailing, and a great way to go into the upcoming America Trophy race next weekend (Apr. 29-30) hosted by the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.


--HU--