Month: October 2015

Another busy weekend for the Middlebury Panthers.

This past weekend, Middlebury traveled to McGill University in Montreal to compete in the annual McGill Cup. The event featured very tricky conditions and inconsistent racing conditions. In an attempt to get the regatta started, the regatta began in a shifty 3-5 kts of breeze with a tough current controlling the race. A Division was able to complete their set, but due to a blizzard (!!!) and incoming stormy weather, B Division did not sail, and the rest of Saturday’s races were scrapped.

Sundays weather was colder, with frozen hiking straps and ice in the bottom of the 420s. The sun popped out to warm things up, but the breeze remained shifty and the current remained strong.

Middlebury sailed well despite the tough conditions, coming away with a 5th place overall featuring some great races.  See full recap and scores here.

Our second group of sailors competed at the Great Herring Pond Trophy at Mass Maritime. The group sailed a great, consistent regatta, featuring multiple top 5 finishes in a difficult oscillating breeze. Saturday started off light with huge oscillations and a massive lull near the windward mark and offset mark, creating numerous difficult boat crossings and tight finishes. Huge gains and huge losses were common with a tight fleet and wild wind oscillations.

Sunday’s breeze was stronger than the day before, but equally as shifty. The venue did not help the massive oscillations, but the Middlebury sailors sailed patient, mistake free races and maximized their time riding big lifted tacks towards the weather mark. Similar to Sunday, the fleet was close, and one small mistake could generate large losses for some and large gains for others. Despite losing the tie-breaker for 7th, Middlebury ended the regatta with a bullet in a very dramatic and close final race.  Scores here.

Great job to all sailors who competed this weekend. The weather is certainly getting colder and it appears that some of our practices could be in the snow…but hopefully not quite yet!

A reminder to email Rebecca (rfreeman@middlebury.edu)  if you are interested in ordering any Middlebury gear before Wednesday!

Hi Friends, Family, and Alumni! Are you looking for a way to help support the team with a low commitment donation? Do you want to make all your friends jealous by sporting Midd Sailing gear? Well you are in luck! This week we are selling Midd Sailing t-shirts as a fundraiser for the team! Shirts are $30 and available in S, M, L and XL. Please email team member Rebecca by this Wednesday (10/21) at rfreeman@middlebury.edu with your order including quantity and sizes!! (sizing chart is available at http://www.customink.com/items/sizing/97600_lineup/standard.htm).

The Panthers have been off to a busy start this Fall Season. With each regatta, the team has continued to improve and sail faster.

Despite shorter days, the team has been taking advantage of beautiful sailing weather in preparation of each weekend regatta. This past weekend, the team split up, sending four sailors to Roger Williams to compete in the Southern Series, and four sailors to compete at Bowdoin College’s Nicholas Barnett Trophy. Both groups enjoyed two beautiful days of sailing on the ocean, with both days featuring strong breeze and sunny skies.

Bowdoin’s Leighton Sailing Center at their Coastal Studies Center was built in 2014 and is located on Orr’s Island, in Harpswell, Maine. A strong NW breeze kept the sailors busy on Saturday at Bowdoin. The temperature hovered around 50 degrees, with a water temperature near 55 degrees, Fighting a strong current and an oscillating breeze, the Middlebury sailors made huge improvements throughout the day. Sunday’s weather was more consistent, with temperatures near 60 and a steady breeze from the SW. Current was a factor in the latter half of the day. Both days were filled with excellent sailing and a well run regatta.

Great job by the Panthers this weekend! See full scores and recaps from both events here:
Nicholas Barnett Trophy

Southern Series 5

Check back next week for a full weekend update! MCSC will be traveling to Mcgill to compete in the Mcgill Cup and Mass Maritime Academy to compete in the Great Herring Pond Open.