Offshore Sailing Team Claims Bronze Medal in U.S. SAILING Offshore National Championship

Navy is the only collegiate team in attendance.

Oct. 13, 2004

LONG BEACH, Calif. - This past weekend, seven representatives of the offshore sailing team traveled to Long Beach, CA for the U.S. SAILING Offshore National Championships. The group competed against ten teams from across the country who had won qualifying competitions in each of their regions, with Navy as the only collegiate team in attendance. The regatta was sailed in identical 37-foot boats, which promoted fast-paced, competitive racing.

When the regatta began on Friday, Navy jumped out to an early lead, winning the start and commanding the race for the first 3 laps of the 2-mile course. However, due to an equipment failure of one of their spinnaker control lines on the final leg, Navy had to mount a quick recovery, managing to salvage a second in the race, thanks in large part to the fast reaction of bowman junior Jim Paquette (Wausau, Wis.).

The rest of the competition followed the exciting pace set by the first race, including many lead changes and difficult tactical situations which were handled deftly by tactician senior John Creegan (Orlando, Fla.). Navy boasted some of the best crew work in the regatta, showing great teamwork among trimmers junior Dane Watson (Indiano, Pa.), LT Jodi Beattie and CDR Dixon Smith as well as mast man sophomore Tony Bracalente.

Ultimately after five races over three days, skipper junior Greg Storer (Branford, Conn.) and crew won the bronze medal at the Nationals behind the New Orleans and Chicago teams. This is first time Navy has placed in this event in the past ten years. The team plans to use experience gained in this competition to take home victories at the remaining home and away regattas remaining this season.