ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Navy intercollegiate sailing team competed at the J/22 Mid-Atlantic Championship and the Snipe Frigid Digit where the Midshipmen finished in the top-10 of both events this past weekend.
 
Both events featured strong fleets but the light wind made for a lot of waiting around and very challenging racing.
 
Navy had four individuals compete at the J/22 Mid-Atlantic Championship where 10 boats competed, including some of the top competitors in the class. Very light wind and strong currents made for no racing on Saturday. On Sunday, a northeast wind of 5-8 knots allowed for three races before fading away. Navy stayed consistently near the front of the fleet and posted a solid scoreline of 2-4-3, which was good enough for third overall. The Midshipmen's team on the J/22 included Jeffrey Petersen at the helm with a crew of Gray Benson, Kimmie Leonard and Jack Carminati.
 
The pair of Connor Bayless and Olivia de Olazarra represented Navy in the Snipe Frigid Digit Regatta, which also served as the class' Atlantic Coast Championship, drawing a stacked fleet of 28 boats from all over the country. While de Olazarra had some experience sailing Snipes growing up in Miami, Florida, this was Bayless' first time sailing the boat and there was a lot to learn from a technical standpoint. The Midshipmen relied on its tactical strength while getting faster throughout the weekend and avoiding poor finishes. At the end of the competition, Navy's solid sailing earned it a sixth-place finish.
 
After an off weekend, the Midshipmen are set to return to action at the J/22 East Coast Championship from October 16-18 in Annapolis.