A Word from Coach Nugnes

The 2005 Barnstable Red Raider Sailing Team graduated 3 seniors. With last years squad moving on to bigger and better things, Stephen Robichaud (College of Charleston), Mackenzie Marks (University of Rhode Island), Liz Carey (Bryant University), the 2006 Raider squad has some work to do in order to fill these voids.   As this year approached, a trip to Florida was in the works and each sailor’s time was well spent getting a head start not only on the water but in the classroom as well. 

Thanks to the help of Coach Terk, Coach Nugs, Coach Sylvia, and Eckerd College of St. Petersburg, Florida, the team got just what was needed to catch a head start on the rest of the competition.  These coaches and 13 sailors headed to Florida for February vacation to take part in a team racing and boat-handling clinic.  All improved tremendously, gained experience in a collegiate 420 and came home ready to take on New England.   

As the long winter seems to be melting away and the snow shovels and snow blowers are put to rest until next year, Barnstable will begin its journey in late March to try and capture both New England Titles.  While sports such as baseball, softball and lacrosse hold indoor practices, the Raiders will be found on the bone chilling waters, dancing between snow squalls and shoveling snow from the 420’s lining the beach.  Although these first couple of weeks are cold, the Raiders are definitely on fire. The team is quickly taking shape with returning Coach Bob Peck assisting with the Junior Varsity program and the addition of two other coaches, Coach Patti Germani and Coach Ryan Sylvia helping out with the teams as well.  Having these three aboard will make the 50-race schedule possible and keep the 24 sailors found on the water mighty busy throughout the season. An Assistant Coaching staff is on hand to witness the growth of a great team, filled with many new faces coming from local yacht clubs throughout Barnstable. Out of the 24 sailors, only 2 have no previous experience at one of the local yacht clubs, which will be a great asset to the team in the near future.

 At the end of March, head to head team racing meets will be underway, even though the temperatures are still frigid and the days short on sunlight. The Red Raiders will go up against New England’s best early and often at the beginning of the season.  They will see competitions between Tabor, Hotchkiss, St. Georges, and Milton Academy, all of whom competed in both New England Championships last season. The Raiders have recently joined the Cape and Islands League and will compete against teams such as Falmouth, Harwich, Chatham, Sandwich, Nauset, Plymouth, Duxbury, Darmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.

With a new season and a fresh start, the team eagerly awaits the competition they will face. This year’s team has incredible senior leadership with drivers Brendon Sprinkle, Leif Walcutt, Brendan Boudreau and crews Chelsea Scudder, Becca Adams, Lauren Hill, and Nicci Laliberte. Juniors adding to the team dynamics are Nat Sabatt, Sarah Yuskatis, Nicky Boudreau, and Meghan Wareham. Some sophomore notables are added bonuses this season as well and will gain the knowledge needed to take on the elite in New England in the up coming future.  These prospects are sophomores Sam Marks, Leah Tracy, and Bryant Dunn. Eager to recover from last year’s record, the team plans to redeem themselves in the eyes of New England. The winds of change have arrived and the 2006 Red Raider Sailing Team is ready to dominate.