Coed Sailing Falls From No. 1 Rank

Despite strong performances in each of the past two weeks, the Harvard coed sailing team dropped to No. 3 in the Sailing World College Rankings of Oct. 1 after long-standing reign at No. 1.

“I think we fell probably as a result of the Hood Trophy,” said co-captain Michelle Yu. “It’s very difficult. Those rankings are very controversial.”

The rankings came as a bit of a surprise, given Harvard’s strong performances in recent weeks.

“Our last two weekends have been solid, so I don’t think it’ll be a problem,” Yu said.

Rising five slots to No. 1 is Hobart/William Smith, followed by former No. 7 Kings Point.

Rounding out the top five are Tufts, falling one spot to No. 4, and Dartmouth, which fell three ranks to No. 5.

At the Hap Moore Team Race over the weekend, hosted by the Coast Guard, Harvard teams finished with an overall head-to-head record of 18-3, besting Tufts by two and capturing the overall title.

In Team Race Series No. 5, hosted by Harvard, the Crimson dominated opponents Boston College and Tufts.

With a 4-0 lead after the first round, the Crimson sailors went 3-1 in their second round and earned a bye to the finals. Harvard defeated Tufts in the final 2-1 to clinch the title and finished the regatta 9-2.

In the Metro Series 5, also hosted by Harvard, the Crimson took fifth place in both the ‘A’ and ‘B’ divisions, but its cumulative score placed the team in fourth place overall, behind Tufts, BC and Dartmouth.

The Crimson will take to the water again next weekend at the Yale Women’s Intersectional.

—Contributing writer Timothy J. McGinn can be reached at mcginn@fas.harvard.edu.