Stu Nelson Trophy Results
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Navigating on the open waters in South Carolina for the third time this fall, the Eckerd College coed sailing program made a splash at the SAISA Match Racing Championships on Saturday, punching its ticket to the national event in mid-November.
For the first time since 2005, the Tritons will be headed to the National Match Race Championships, scheduled for Nov. 16-18 at the Chicago Match Race Center in Illinois.
Only 10 programs from around the country will be in attendance at the National Match Race Championships.
On Saturday, Eckerd sailed on bigger boats called 'sloops,' a 22-foot, four-man craft more commonly referred as J-22's.
“We're very excited to be heading to nationals (in one of the three fall championships),” EC Head Coach
Kevin Reali said. “A limited number of teams from each district qualify and we were able to beat a national powerhouse to earn a trip to Chicago. I'm very proud of the team.”
The Tritons defeated host College of Charleston along with a pair of Atlantic Coast Conference schools, Clemson University and Georgia Tech University.
In head-to-head racing competition, the Tritons were handed only two losses on Saturday for a 6-2 record at the regatta.
Assistant coach
Zack Marks traveled with the qualifying squad which included juniors
Bob Savoie and
Wes Byrne with freshmen
Jessica Resnick and
Tim Siemers.
The Tritons are also finished 11th of 18 programs at the Stu Nelson this weekend, a women's event held in Cambridge, Mass.
Eckerd Head Coach
Kevin Reali attended the event with
Kaye Siemers and
Rachel Cruz in "A" division with
Amy Baxter and
Ann Williamson sailing "B" division. The Tritons maintained their placing of 11th following the first day of competition on Saturday before wrapping up on Sunday.
"I think that the Charles River is a tricky place to sail," Reali said. "I thought we adapted well in tricky boats to sail. I'm hopeful that we can move up into the rankings later this week."
