It was a banner year for the sailing team in 2016 highlighted by a Spring Break trip to Ireland, winning the O’Day trophy, and once again qualifying for the Baker Trophy in Anacortes, WA. The coaching staff literally traveled a third of the way around the world with this team and at each stop they represented themselves and the Academy with pride and dignity.
The regular season began in early April. The Seawolves won the April Fool’s Invite, the Ridge White Classic, the Avery Point Quad meet, and the Downeast Invite while comprising a record of 21-7 and a 4th seed in the New England Championship. The last win, 4-0 over Duxbury, marked coach Hurd’s 400th win as a head varsity coach – a feat not reached by any other coach in school history. At the New England Championship, Tabor won their very last race in dramatic fashion to finish second and earn a spot in the ISSA Team Racing Nationals (Baker Trophy).
Earlier in April, Tabor won the NESSA Fleet Racing Championship (O’Day trophy). The regatta had a mix of conditions, from breezy, breezy during the qualifying round to light and shifty during the finals. The Seawolves adapted, used their bench well and took advantage of other’s mistakes on their way to victory and a trip to the Mallory Trophy in Charleston, SC.
At the end of the season, the squad recognized some of the great contributions made this year. By vote of the squad, the Varsity Most Improved sailor is Nick Marshall ’18. The Rookie of the Year awards, which is determined by the sailors and the coaching staff was awarded to Kyle Ferguson ’17, and the Braitmayer award for “conspicuous contribution to the sport of sailing at Tabor” went to Parker Loftus ‘16
The end of the season was bittersweet. The program says goodbye to Kimberly Ulmer (3 years) and Eric Hartell (13 years), both of who have added greatly to the JV squad. And after 25 combined years of coaching, Cindy Muther is moving on as well. Her patience, guidance, and knowledge will be missed going forward. The 2016 season was a success and we can’t wait to start the process of building the 2017 team.
