The top twelve teams in NEISA did battle on the Thames in New London last weekend for the Fowle Trophy, the New England Team Racing Championship, hosted by Coast Guard. The Ram Team Racers qualified for the New England Team Race Championships for the first time in many years with their win at the Staake two weeks ago.
The Ram squad of Rachel Bryer/Hannah Scanlon, Matt Coughlin/Kate Nota, and Caleb Armstrong opened the series with a win over Bowdoin and went on to a 5/6 record and 7th place overall. They nearly stole races from team racing powerhouses Dartmouth and BC. Conditions weren’t the best, with long periods of not enough breeze both days, but a full 66 race round robin was sailed in a huge variety of conditions. This finish was the best by far in the collegiate careers of seniors Matt and Caleb. Junior All American Rachel Bryer will be back next year to lead a new group of Ram team racers. Crews Kate Nota ’19, Fiona Christie ’17, and Hannah Scanlon ’18 will all be back. The 2016-17 Ram squad will have lots of experience.
In other action the Lady Rams were at the Emily Wick at Conn College. With Rachel and Hannah at the Fowle, Sarah Hermus and Marisa Decollibus moved to A division and sophomore Kim Morecraft got her first shot at a women’s interconference event in B with Sarah Morin crewing. This was a huge challenge for all. The road was full of potholes and both divisions had a rough time on Saturday, although Kim and Sarah had a very solid first set. The road crew didn’t fix all of the holes by Sunday, but there was some improvement. Sarah and Marisa finished with a 4,1 set. Kim and Sarah managed 50% of their finishes in the top 10. Not bad for a rookie team! They finished 12th, but we are looking at the growth, not the result.
In other action the Rams were 4th at the Admiral Aylmers at Mass Maritime and 9th at the Mystic Team Race at Tufts.
Next weekend will be VERY BUSY with 5 events including 2 with 3 divisions. All of the Rams will be competing.
Thompson Trophy Interconference (3 divs) @ CGA in FJs and 420s
President’s Trophy @ BU in FJs (Women’s event)
O’Berg Trophy (3 divs) @ MIT in FJs and Fireflies
Savin Hill Central Series @ BC in FJs and Z420s
Southern Series @ URI in FJs
