Newport takes second at national championships

Newport Harbor High was a lot closer, but still a few points short at last week’s Interscholastic Sailing Assn. National Championship Mallory Cup Regatta.

The Sailors finished second in the two-day competition at Grosse Pointe Yacht Club in Michigan, just one point behind Antilles High of the U.S. Virgin Islands. It was the second year in a row that Newport Harbor was the runner-up at the Mallory Cup, after taking second to Point Loma last year.

Corona del Mar finished ninth in the 20-team field, and Santa Ana Calvary Chapel placing 16th.

Each school had two teams competing in Club 420 boats, with the combined scores of both boats counting toward the final score.

The first day of competition was rainy and windy, with a few competitors’ boats capsizing in the heavy waves. Despite the conditions, Newport Harbor jumped ahead early and led throughout the day, taking a 30-point advantage at one point, as the 20 teams completed 12 races with each of their boats.

The winds calmed down slightly on the second day, but the waves remained choppy. Newport Harbor faltered slightly in the early races, and things got closer as Antilles and Severn (Md.) made their moves. Newport Harbor finished with the lowest point total over the 36 combined races, but was disqualified in the 13th race and penalized 24 points.

After the Sailors’ appeal was denied, they finished with 229 points, one point behind Antilles and in a tie with Severn for second. Association officials broke the tie and declared Newport Harbor the second-place team.

Michael Menninger ? who has qualified to race in the International Sailing Federation Youth World Championships in England this July ? piloted Newport Harbor’s A boat, with Brooke Thomson and Christy Tatchell rotating as crewmembers. Menninger’s boat had eight top-four finishes in its 18 races, including four victories.

Charlie Buckingham was the skipper for the Sailors’ B boat, with Marla Menninger as his crew. Buckingham’s boat had 11 top-four finishes, including four wins.

Corona del Mar had its struggles, but posted seven top-four finishes.

Calvary Chapel had five top-four finishes, but also picked up four wins.dpt.21-sailing-CPhotoInfoQQ1R5SH020060521izlbfknc(LA)The Newport Harbor High sailing team finished second at the national championships last weekend. The team included (front row, left to right) Coach Caleb Silsby, Marla Menninger, Blair Belling, Brooke Thomson, (back row, left to right) Charlie Buckingham, Matt Hogan, Michael Menninger, Cole Hatton and Christy Tatchell