As the season approaches, many sailors are gearing up, working out, and attending voluntary chalk talk sessions which began as of December 1st. Time has been well spent getting a head start on the season, not only hitting the weights, but in the classroom as well.
As we still await our first real big snow storm, you know it will come April vacation, 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 420s out on their floats.
Before we get all geared up for winter sailing, the Raiders will make a quick stop in sunny St. Petersburgh, Florida and say hello to an old friend, Coach Terk. The team will leave for a week to shake off the rust, create a little team bonding, and definitely gear up for an exciting 2012 Spring Season.
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 to gain experience needed during the NE Championships. They will see competitions between Tabor, Hotchkiss, St. Georges, and North Kingstown, all of whom competed in both New England Championships last season. The Raiders are still the elite on Cape Cod and will compete against teams such as Falmouth, , Sandwich, Nauset, Bishop Stang, Darmouth, Bourne, 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 leadership with 11 returning seniors. Drivers Colin Meade, MK Mezzetti, Tristan Janowicz, Richard Egan and Kevin Shanley and crews Adin Weatherley, Ashleigh Farnham, Monica Miorandi, Ali Gorin, Sarah Smith, Megan Hostetter. Juniors adding to the team dynamics are Drivers Thomas Crabtree and Gabe Fater, with Crews Chloe Brown, Ela Sampu, Jamie Spence, Robyn Mesirow, and Carly Spalt. Sailors to be on the look out for, that are making fine impressions for themselves early in their sailing careers, are sophomores Joe Egan, Josh Brooks, Brenna McCoubrey, and Connor Holmes. We will also have a strong turn out from our 8th grade classes this year. Our numbers have been high in the past and we are hoping to see them climb over 40 again like last year.
The team is coming off of am impressive 2nd place finish at the O’day Qualifier last season, second to only Tabor Academy. They advanced to the New England Fleet Racing Championships last year, held at Tabor and finished 11th in New England. We look forward to competing in 2012 and hope you follow our success throughout the season. The winds of change have arrived and the 2012 Red Raider Sailing Team is ready to dominate.
