September 4, 2005
WC 14th at Anderson Trophy
Horrocks & Luckett Finish 8th in A Division

BRANFORD, CT -- The Washington College sailing team opened its fall 2005 season this weekend at the Anderson Trophy, hosted by Yale University, in Branford, CT. Washington finished 14th of 24 teams at the regatta, which featured 14 of the 20 schools ranked in the Sailing World Co-Ed National Preseason Top 20.

Washington senior skipper Carl Horrocks (Point Pleasant, NJ/Point Pleasant Boro) and sophomore crew Nicole Luckett (Centreville, MD/Chestertown Christian Academy) finished eighth overall in A Division, winning two races. Sophomore skipper Alex Hood (Newport, RI/Portsmouth Abbey) and sophomore crew Alexandria Starks (Toms River, NJ/Monsignor Donovan) placed 18th in B Division.

Fourth-ranked Harvard won the regatta with 127 points. Thirteenth-ranked Tufts was second (137), while 12th-ranked UC Irvine was third (150). Washington finished ahead of four nationally-ranked schools; 14th-ranked Stanford finished 17th, 16th-ranked Navy finished 16th, 17th-ranked Kings Point finished 20th, and 19th-ranked M.I.T. finished 19th.

While clear skies and warm temperatures were in abundance, wind conditions at the regatta proved challenging for the competitors both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday saw a northwest wind from the land varying from five to 13 knots. Races averaged 25 minutes on Saturday, allowing a total of six races in each division.

Sunday's winds started out at four to 10 knots from the north, but sometimes shifted 45 degrees either way, often making the sailing very difficult. The wind died around 2:00 p.m., but a nice 10-12 knot sea breeze built for the last full set of races. Four races were completed in each division Sunday, bringing the regatta total to 10 races in each division.

The WC sailors will compete at the Navy Laser Open and at the Riley Cup, hosted by Old Dominion, next weekend.