MARBLEHEAD, Mass. — The Mount Desert Island High School sailing team finished 11th in the O’Day Qualifier Race here Sunday ahead of fellow Mainers from Portland and Cape Elizabeth high schools.
The Trojans were up against 12 teams from Maine and Massachusetts.
Lily Anderson, at left, and Connor Ratcliff of the Mount Desert Island High School sailing team prepare to launch their boats ahead of the O’Day Qualifier race. PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN MACAULEY
Finishing first was Falmouth High School with 44 points, followed by Milton Academy, Boston College High School, Belmont Hill School, Buckingham, Browne and Nichols, Marblehead High School, St. John’s Prep, Winchester High School, Lincoln Sudbury Regional High School and Cape Cod Academy.
“The winds were brisk, and the temps were in the low 40s with intermittent rain,” said MDI Head Coach John Macauley. “In other words, the weather gods were not cooperating.”
Five sailors – Lily Anderson, Sophie Dowling, Alec Fisichella, Connor Ratcliff and Luke Ingebritson – made the trip to Marblehead. Team A had 71 points, while Team B had 91 points for a total of 162 points.
Next up for the Trojans is the Penobscot Bay League Breakwater Blast regatta on Saturday, April 29, in Rockland.
“It’s one of the races we do every year, so everyone on the team will be going,” Macauley said.
Nearly halfway into the spring sailing season, the coach said the young team is shaping up.
“I think they are very promising,” said Macauley. “We’ve got a lot of new, young promising sailors coming up, so we are optimistic about that.”
The coach said it is difficult to pull out a win when there are just a handful of veterans on the team.
“All it takes is to have one sailor out sick, and that really shows,” said Macauley.”
The cold and rainy early spring weather has not made it easy for the team to practice.
“The weather has not been cooperating, and we aren’t getting as much time on the water as we like,” said the coach.
The sailors still have several more opportunities this season to prove themselves.
Following the upcoming Breakwater Blast is the Hospice Regatta on Saturday, May 6, also in Rockland.
Taylor Bigler Mace
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