ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Navy continued its spring championship slate with the ICSA LaserPerformance Team Race National Championship where the Midshipmen won the national championship. This is Navy's first Walter C. Wood Trophy since 1992.
 
On the first day of competition, the wind started light but built slowly as the day went on. The Midshipmen looked strong right off the bat, winning some races in blowout fashion and coming from behind to steal wins in others. After the first round of action, Navy led the 12-team field with a record of 10-1.
 
The second day saw similar conditions and consisted of a round with the top six teams followed by a four-team round-robin to finish off the event. Navy got off to another strong start and was able to win all of its races in the gold six round to clinch the championship before the final four-team round-robin started. Over the two days, the Midshipmen compiled a record of 17-2 en route to the national championship.
 
"I could not be more proud of this team and the work they have put in this year," head coach Ian Burman said. "The team pulled together and those individuals who were not sailing put in tremendous effort to host a top-notch event."
 
The ICSA LaserPerformance Team Race National Championship was the second of three spring national championships in Annapolis. The event was originally slated to take place in New Orleans, La., but was shifted to Annapolis and the format was altered to comply with COVID guidance and protocols. The teams and boats were staged at the Naval Academy, Eastport Yacht Club and Severn Sailing Association where the teams met out on the water to compete. Each team was provided a boat for coaches and alternates with boat rotations being kept to a minimum.
 
"While the on shore element of the event was definitely not the same, the racing on the course was as competitive as usual and the teams were treated to two great days of racing," Burman commented.
 
Navy wraps up its season on Monday and Tuesday next week with the ICSA Gill Coed Fleet Racing National Championship in Annapolis.