Superlative Sailing

In June, Harvard’s sailing team captured the National Co-ed Championship in Grosse Point, Michigan. It was the first such title since 1974 and only the fifth in Harvard history. (The Crimson also won in 1952, 1953, and 1959.) Heavy air (up to 17 knots) on the second and third days of the regatta favored Harvard, allowing the sailors to dominate both A and B divisions. Harvard tallied 165 points—69 points ahead of the University of Hawaii’s total of 234—for the widest margin of victory in recent memory. St. Mary’s College (Maryland), last year’s champions, finished third with 238.

The Crimson also repeated as National Team Race champions, going 5-2 in the final round to defeat St. Mary’s (4-3) and Southern California (4-3). Three-time all-American skipper Clay Bischoff ’03 was honored as College Sailor of the Year. That title stays in Cambridge; last year’s winner was Sean Doyle ’02 (see "Sailing: Broad Reach," July-August 2002, page 89).