May 25, 2008

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The No. 7 Bulldog women's sailing team is set to compete at the ICSA Women's National Championship on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in Newport, R.I. The team, which has been ranked as high as No. 1 nationally during the past season, is one of the favorites to win the national championship, a feat the Bulldogs last accomplished in 2004.

The national championship will take place in 420's and will be sailed in two fleets of boats provided by Salve Regina and Brown. Over the three days, the competitors will compete in 18 races in both A and B Divisions, rotating boats every two races. Racing will take place off of Fort Adams near Goat and Rose Islands.

While the women's sailing team failed to qualify for the 2007 national championship, the team has found success at the event in the past years. The win in 2004 is certainly the highlight of the team's recent accomplishments, and the team also placed 13th in 2006 and eighth in 2005. This year's squad has already won some of the largest and most competitive regattas in college sailing, including the Women's Atlantic Coast Championship that featured the top teams from schools on the East Coast.

The A Division duo of junior skipper Jane Macky and sophomore Marla Menninger have both been named to the All-New England first team. Joining them on the All-New England first team are the B Division combo of junior captain Kate Hagemann and freshman crew Elizabeth Brim. Macky also placed second at the ICSA Women's Single-handed Championship in the fall.

Racing will begin on Monday in the afternoon following a short practice and competitor's meeting in the morning. Tuesday and Wednesday will feature racing throughout the entire day to ensure that 18 races are conducted so the championship best reflects the overall sailing ability of the teams competing.

Report filed by Caleb Dorfman '09, Yale Sports Publicity