Coach Pizzo's Report - 

The Polar Bears competed in the Open National Semi Finals Fleet Race Championship the past two days hosted by the St. Mary's College of Maryland.  The breeze was shifty both days with lots of rain.  The Polar Bears had a terrific event, finishing third of eighteen teams and qualified for the National Championship Finals which will begin tomorrow. This is the fifth time in program history that the Polar Bears have qualified for the Open Finals.

Thibault Antonietti, Isabelle Tsuchitori, and Holliss Hirsch competed in A-division with Sam Bonauto, Holliss Hirsch, and Timmy Gee competing in B-division.  Kique Ruiz, Aidan Michelow, Elizabeth Wire, Ben Stevens, Kaile Olson, and Rebecca Schill were reserves.

The Open Nationals finals was plagued by a lack of breeze.  No racing took place on day one because there was no wind.  On day two of the championship, the breeze shifted from the south, to the North West, and then finally ended out of the east.  The Race Committee had the competitors report at 7 am so we could maximize the daylight hours for the competition.  Seven races were completed in each division.  Thibault Antonietti, Elizabeth Wire, and Isabelle Tsuchitori competed in A division, winning the first race of the regatta and finished seventh in their highly competitive division.  Samuel Bonauto, Holliss Hirsch, and Isabelle Tsuchitori competed in B division. 

Ben Stevens, Kaile Olson, Rebecca Schill, Aidan Michelow, Kique Ruiz, and Timmy Gee were alternates.  The team finished twelth overall of the eighteen teams competing.