Michael Keller
The Georgetown Sailing team is off to a great start in 2010 after one its most successful winter breaks in history.
Over the weekend of January 2, the team took home first place in a 26-team field at the Rose Bowl Regatta, a feat never accomplished by Georgetown. In addition, two members of the team were named to the 2010 U.S. Sailing Development Team.
Over break, junior Charlie Buckingham, reigning College Sailor of the Year, and sophomore Sydney Bolger were named to the U.S. Sailing Development Team, a team picked by the United States Olympic Committee to identify and train sailors that have the necessary skills and potential to compete in the Olympics.
“The hope is that at one point in time they’ll do an Olympic campaign,” Sailing Head Coach Michael Callahan said.
Of the two sailors, Buckingham is closest to the Olympics right now. He sails a laser boat, which is a single-handed ship, and is currently in qualifying position for the Olympic team based on his past regatta performances. Despite being in the top three in the country, Buckingham’s spot isn’t locked down because of competition from older, more experienced sailors.
Bolger’s Olympic plans are not as developed as Buckingham’s, but Callahan believes she is one of the best sailors in the country for her age. Only a sophomore, Bolger is just starting out on one type of boat the USSDT uses, the 470.
“She’s got the potential to be an Olympian, for sure,” Callahan said.
Both Buckingham and Bolger were recently in Miami for an Olympic regatta. Nevertheless, Georgetown’s ability to get two sailors on the team says a lot about the program.
“I think what it means is that we’re able to attract some of the best sailors in the country here and it just shows the talent,” Callahan explained. At the team’s most recent competition, the Rose Bowl Regatta, Buckingham and junior Ashley Phillips finished in first place in the A Division and Bolger—who crewed for freshman Chris Barnard—finished in second place in the B division.
The victory and accomplishments of Buckingham and Bolger have made for a great start to the Hoyas’ season. But the team’s major goal is to get back to Nationals after last year’s third place finish.
Callahan said that while the ultimate goal was winning Nationals, just qualifying for Nationals would be a challenge, considering the Big East conference is the best in the nation. “But the first goal is to make it,” Callahan said.
