Yale won the Eastern Division and Georgetown won the Western Division in the Open National Semifinals out of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy after two days of semifinal racing. 32 of the best collegiate teams in the nation came into the championship on Tuesday and the top 18 will take to the water today for Finals and a chance at the 2023 national title.
Top 9 Eastern teams advancing to Open Nationals after two days of Semifinals:
1st – Yale University
2nd – St. Mary’s College of Maryland
3rd – Brown University
4th – Tufts University
5th – U.S. Naval Academy
6th – University of Pennsylvania
7th – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
8th – University of Miami
9th – Tulane University
Full Results for Eastern Division
Top 9 Western teams advancing to Open Nationals after two days of Semifinals:
1st – Georgetown University
2nd – Harvard University
3rd – Dartmouth University
4th – Stanford University
5th – Bowdoin College
6th – U.S. Coast Guard Academy
7th – University of Rhode Island
8th – Fordham University
9th – Boston College
Full Results for Western Division
Day one brought a tapering north easterly breeze and a building ebb tide. The long steady oscillations and strengthening current required the athletes to sail dynamically and strategically around the course. The current was in play at the start with many general recalls hailed. The Race Committee was able to get in eight races for each division in these challenging conditions. At the end of day one, University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, and St. Mary’s College of Maryland sat in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, respectively, in the Eastern Division; Harvard University, Georgetown University, and Bowdoin College sat in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, respectively, in the Western Division.
“We are happy that the team sailed well today,” said Georgetown University’s volunteer Assistant Coach, Preston Anderson. “Everyone worked hard together as a team, and it paid off. We are now looking forward to carrying the momentum into the finals.”
North winds from 10 to 13 knots kicked off day two, but the breeze got lighter as the day went on. The current continued to present a challenging factor that sailors took into consideration in their hunt for clean starts and wide and tight mark roundings. Lauren O’Neill, crew for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and Coleman Schofield, skipper for USCGA, noted how the current created an “uphill” battle with a significant amount of chop, forcing them to focus on trimming the jib just right to keep them powered up. With just one B Division race left, Eastern and Western teams had to focus on their points as many teams were neck and neck on the scoreboard. Three protests and one breakdown request were filed.
Don’t forget, Chris Love Productions partnered with FlyPack, NY, to have all championships live-streamed for those who cannot attend - click here
TODAY kicks off the Open National Championships at 10:00am. Stay tuned to the live-streamed events, College Sailing Instagram, and College Sailing Facebook page!
Photos and social media provided by Media sponsor US Sailing / Lexi Pline and Ashley Dart.