ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The Navy intercollegiate sailing team opened its spring season at the College of Charleston's Phebe Corckran King Women's Regatta this past weekend. This was the first year that this event was held in honor of King, who lived in and was from Annapolis and passed away too soon after a battle with cancer.

Navy's women were glad they made the long drive down to South Carolina to experience near perfect sailing conditions on both days of competition. Temperatures in the 70s, sunny skies, lighter than usual currents and 10-to-15 knot winds made for some very nice racing to open the season.

The Midshipmen showed some rust early on in the event, but got more comfortable as the weekend wore on and slowly rose up the standings. Navy wound up seventh overall in the 13-team event. College of Charleston won the event.

Jessica McJones and Karma Richards finished eighth in A division while Brittney Slook and Anna Cutler were sixth in B.

Most of the rest of the team was at St. Mary's College for a scrimmage. The sailors had two good days on the water to get ready for the start of the team race season next week.