On the same day as Connecticut College’s commencement ceremony this past summer, May 22, the sailing team traveled to Oregon to represent Conn at the National Championship. Nationals took place at a venue known as “The Gorge,” which because of its characteristically high winds, has garnered quite a reputation among collegiate sailors. Light winds and slight breezes combined with rough currents created odd conditions for the Camels to battle through for the first two days of the competition. At the end of the second day, the women’s team was ranked fourth. When the third and final day of racing rolled around, breezes were still extremely gentle. However, the Camels were able to snag a second place finish behind the University of Rhode Island, beating out the other finalists of St. Mary’s, Brown and Yale. Captain Liz Wilsterman ’12, Lucy Wallace ’13 and Captain Atlantic Brugman ’13 finished third place in the A division, and Brugman was additionally recognized with Women’s All-American honors. The Camel women took home not just their second place finish, but also the Women’s New England Trophy.
Says Senior Captain Wilsterman of the experience: “It was very exciting going to Nationals this past summer. I was honored to be able to represent my team and Connecticut College in both the co-ed and women’s divisions. We have been working hard over the past three years to be able to compete at the highest level of college sailing. It was an intensive two weeks of sailing and the conditions were the most trying I’ve ever sailed in, but we worked together as a team to stay concentrated.”
Sailing looks to make it back to Nationals in 2012 (photo from web)
The Women’s team is off to a great start in terms of their fall season, as well. On September 17 and 18, the Camels competed at the Mrs. Hurst Bowl at the Dartmouth Women’s Intersectional. Brugman and Grace Medley ’15 finished second place in the A division, and Bitsy Whipple ’12 and Kim Bolick ’15 finished fourth in the B division. Their combined high placing won Conn the entire regatta.
The next weekend, the co-ed Camels team, led by Wilsterman and Kevin Martland ’14 in the A division and Brugman and Medley in the B divison, competed in the St. Mary’s College of Maryland Intersectional. The team ended up earning a first place finish with 78 total points, beating out the other seventeen schools present.
Looking forward, the Camels expect to have a competitive season in both the fall and spring. A large reason why the team yields such successful results is because of the year-round commitment its athletes make to the sport. “Coming into my senior year, the sailing team is definitely among my highest priorities,” said Claire Sacco ’12. “Over the past four years, it’s obvious to me the progress I’ve made. I’m able to sail at a higher level, and give advice to teammates confidently. It’s also great that the other members of my team have become my best friends, and they are all as committed and enthusiastic about the season as I am. I am expecting a great fall, and a better spring to follow.”
Although the Camels welcome some fresh new faces with the class of 2015, they welcome back the majority of their starters. Because of this, Wilsterman sums up that “We feel confident in our ability to stay focused as a group in order to give our competition a run for their money.” It seems as though with some hard work, the Connecticut College sailing team will find itself back at Nationals in 2012.•
