September 10, 2006
WC Finishes Second at Riley Cup
Washington Sailors Also Compete at Two Laser Regattas

CHESTERTOWN, MD -- The 18th-ranked Washington College sailing team finished second of 16 teams at the Riley Cup, a co-ed MAISA regatta hosted by Old Dominion, this weekend. Washington sailors also competed at the BYO Laser Radial, also at Old Dominion, and at the Navy Laser Open.

At the Riley Cup, Washington junior skipper Alex Hood (Newport, RI/Portsmouth Abbey) and junior crew Shrijana Puri (Bethesda, MD/Bethesda-Chevy Chase) finished third in A Division, placing in the top five in 10 of the 12 races. Freshman skipper Conner Blouin (Tampa, FL/Jesuit), competing in his first collegiate regatta, and junior crew Alexandria Starks (Toms River, NJ/Monsignor Donovan) won B Division, placing first in four races and in the top five in 10.

Twentieth-ranked Pennsylvania won the regatta, while 12th-ranked Georgetown was third. Saturday's Riley Cup races were sailed in a three knot northwesterly wind, which continually clocked right and built to five knots from the southeast with puffs to nine. Sunday's races were sailed in 4-8 north-northwest winds, becoming 8-12 knots from the northeast.

At the BYO Laser Radial, junior Meredith Dodd (Pittsburgh, PA/Upper St. Clair) finished ninth of 19 sailors. Allie Belcher of College of Charleston won the regatta.

At the Navy Laser Open, freshman Patrick Clancy (Scituate, MA/Boston College HS) finished 24th of 29 sailors, while sophomore Seth Olson (Branford, CT/Branford) placed 25th. Trevor Moore of Hobart/William Smith won the Navy Laser Open.

The WC sailors will compete at the OCC Fall Open, hosted by Ocean County College, and at the Nevins Trophy, hosted by Merchant Marine, next weekend.

Conner Blouin and Alexandria Starks at the Riley Cup