Nov. 18, 2013

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy intercollegiate sailing team closed out its fall season by traveling to Charleston, S.C. for the Coed Atlantic Coast Championship and to Ithaca, N.Y. for the Women's Atlantic Coast Championship.

Each of these events boasted the top 18 eastern teams that qualified and are the most challenging regattas of the season in both disciplines.

In Charleston, Navy's sailors were greeted by warm weather and light winds and swirling currents, which produced extremely tight racing throughout the event. After a slow start, Navy steadily climbed through the fleet, winding up sixth overall. Michael Grove and Alex Asuncion finished third in A division while Michael Popp and Chelsea Smith were 12th in B.

The weather was considerably colder in Ithaca, but it wasn't any windier on Saturday and the fleet had to wait around for wind for much of the day. It did get windy on Sunday, though and 10 races were completed per division. Navy finished seventh overall, with Mary Hall, Emma Ferris and Layne Morrison coming in fifth in A division, while Marissa Lihan, Megan Hough and Julie Miller were eighth in B.

Navy's next scheduled competition is the Rose Bow Regatta from Jan. 4-5 in Long Beach, Calif.