KINGS POINT, N.Y. — The Hobart and William Smith Colleges sailing team returned to the water for its first intercollegiate competition in over 400 days this past weekend. The Colleges competed in the MAISA North National Coed Qualifier and the MAISA North National Team Race Qualifier on Long Island Sound April 17-18.
 
On Saturday, Merchant Marine, HWS, SUNY Maritime and SUNY Stony Brook completed all eight races in the coed qualifier  in a shifty breeze out of the north. The host Mariners and HWS finished the regatta in a dead heat with 50 points each. Merchant Marine was awarded the head-to-head tiebreaker to clinch a spot in the 2021 Coed Nationals. The Mariners top boat dominated the field, winning seven of the eight races.
 
With only four team entries, the regatta was sailed in one combined division. Juniors Jake Vickers and Kate Klempen and senior Aidan Morgan placed second out of eight boats, posting 19 points. They were in the top three in seven of the eight races, crossing the line first in the sixth race. HWS' second boat of Juniors Chase Carraway and Sarah Smith and sophomore Tess Weber were fourth with 31 points. They finished in the top three in four times, crossing the line second once.
 
Following the fleet racing, Merchant Marine, SUNY Maritime and HWS began the team race qualifier on Saturday. Two rounds were completed that afternoon and the final rotation was sailed on Sunday. The Mariners clinched the regatta's spot in the national championship with a 4-2 record. The Privateers finished second and the Colleges third. Carraway Vickers and first-year William Foox served as skippers and Smith, Klempen, Morgan and junior Tory Mileti competed as crew for HWS.
 
The Colleges will be back in action next weekend, April 24-25, for the MAISA North National Women's Qualifier.