ICSA/GILL National Championship - Boston College leads on opening day

by Jan Harley on 2 Jun 2010 ICSA/Gill National Championship is now in everyone’s minds now that winners have been determined for the ICSA Women’s National Championship (College of Charleston) and the ICSA/APS Team Race National Championship (St. Mary’s College), all eyes are turned to the main event of the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association’s year – the 2010 ICSA/Gill National Championship. While Lake Mendota was plagued with light or no air for the first two events, it delivered breeze between six and 15 knots that allowed for the completion of six races by both A- and B-Divisions as the race for this sought-after championship crown got underway today.

Boston College arrived in Madison ranked number one (as determined by Sailing World’s College Rankings of May 13), and has cleared the first barrier on the way to the title by finishing second in A-Division with 38 points, and first in B-Division with 28 points to top the standings after the first day of competition with a low score of 58. Eighteen points back in second overall is Harvard University (Cambridge, Mass.) with 76 points, followed by Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.), currently the leader in the A-Division standings, in third overall with 80 points. Yale University (New Haven, Conn.) is fourth with 95 points, with Brown University (Providence, R.I.) and Tufts University (Medford, Mass.) in fifth and sixth, tied at 97 points apiece.

'Initially the breeze was shifty and we were tucked up relatively close to shore,' said Greg Wilkinson, Boston College Head Coach, about the day’s racing. 'We moved further out into the lake and that was a good move, but it was still shifty lake sailing with very flat water as it was an offshore breeze.' Asked whether the number one ranking puts additional pressure on the team he replied: 'We’ve been ranked number one before and then underperformed, so we have good perspective. We’re trying to sail the best we can… just sail consistently, which we’ve done a good job of doing so far.'

Hosted by the University of Wisconsin from the regatta base at Memorial Union Terrace, racing for the 2010 ICSA/Gill National Championship resumes tomorrow Wednesday, June 2, and concludes Thursday, June 3.

The Format: At the ICSA/Gill National Championship each of the 18 schools entered – after qualifying via one of two semi-final events held in early May – fields a separate A and B division team. Weather permitting, each division sails 20- to 30-minute fleet races in rotation and a team's final score is determined by the combined results of its sailors in both divisions. For additional information on the championships, visit: http://2010nationals.collegesailing.org/

Catch the Replay: Noted sailing commentator Gary Jobson (Annapolis, Md.) will produce a program on the ICSA/Gill National Championship for ESPNU. Air dates will be posted at www.jobsonsailing.com.

ICSA is the governing authority for sailing competition at colleges and universities throughout the United States and in some parts of Canada. To learn more please visit: www.collegesailing.org