A new team sport is on the horizon — all freshman Brian Doherty needs is three other students and a moderator. With a full line-up, the school’s first sailing team would then have the wind at its back.
Doherty discovered his passion for the sport after attending a sailing camp six years ago. Today, Doherty is still out on the water, taking part in local sailing competitions, called regattas. Now, he wants to share his passion with other students and form the school’s own sailing team.
JC is not the first local school to start a sailing team. An entire sailing league has been established in the area for over a decade. Since 1998, the Mid-Atlantic Scholastic Sailing Association (MASSA) has organized high school sailing leagues throughout Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Virginia.
Last year, the Central League, which includes teams from Maryland, Delaware, and Northern Virginia, was made up of 18 high schools. Teams from Calvert Hall, Loyola, Annapolis Area Christian School, and Archbishop Spalding have sailed in the Central League in the past.
For each school in the league, MASSA provides everything needed to sail for all practices and regattas. All that the school needs to provide is the students. “The boats, location, and coach are all provided. We just need four people. That’s it,” said Doherty.
Each team consists of four total sailors: two skippers and two crewmen, and each of these teams is given two sail boats, known as a JY15’s. Two team members sail each JY15 during the regattas, which take place at local state parks and yacht clubs.
Unlike other sports, the sailors wouldn’t have to worry about hauling their equipment to each competition. “You go to the yacht club, or wherever the regatta is, and you use the location’s boats,” said Doherty. Whether the race is in Annapolis, Baltimore, or Washington, every MASSA regatta follows a general format. The regatta is made up of eight races on a set course. Each team sends one sail boat out for the first four races and sends the other boat out for the last four. This is the same regatta format that is used on the college level.
“The program is a great way for the students and sailors to prepare for college sailing, and it gives high school students an interesting sport to add to their record,” said assistant director of MASSA Geoff Schneider.
To prepare the students, MASSA holds high school practices Monday through Thursday, but sailing teams only have to attend two practices each week. “We can schedule practice on the days that work best for the team. It’s flexible,” said Doherty.
Currently, Doherty is rounding up a team, searching for a faculty moderator, and planning for the future of the JC sailing team.
Joey Hoff can be reached for comment at [email protected].