For senior Charlie Buckingham, the fourth time’s a charm. Having spent four years sailing on the Hilltop, the senior won the elusive ICSA Men’s Singlehanded National Championship in his final attempt, during the weekend of Nov. 5-7.
“His first three years he did [qualify], he was close: He was one of the favored. … But he finished sixth (overall) every year,” head coach Mike Callahan said.
While Buckingham was one of the top sailors after the first day of the tournament, Cy Thompson from Roger Williams University was first overall after winning six of the seven races.
On the second day, as he was about to tie with Thompson’s boat, officials made him restart the race; he finished 12th. But he gained ground on the leader after winning the last race.
“I thought there was really nothing to lose at that point,” Buckingham said.
Buckingham entered the final day of racing five points behind the other competitors, but prepared to make a charge for the lead. After winning the first race of the afternoon and finishing third in the next one, he quickly took the overall lead. He won the overall competition after finishing with 69 points.
“After leaving the regatta, I really enjoyed sailing” he said. “And this regatta has provided me with some of the best competition that I’ve ever had.”
His coach agreed that it was a special accomplishment for Buckingham, especially considering how little time he has left at Georgetown.
“This year was his last year to [win the championship],” Callahan said. “This was something he really wanted to do.”
