Seven Michigan sailors left Ann Arbor at 2 PM on Friday, March 21st for Boston to compete in the 34th annual Jan T. Friis Trophy team race . Team members stayed with teammate Braden Engstrom's family, and upon arriving at 3 AM after a long night of driving were pleased to meet the affectionate and unbelievably soft family cat.
The regatta was originally scheduled for Tufts but relocated to Harvard due to ice covering Mystic Lake (the latest on record). A full round robin rotation was completed on Saturday, with Michigan sailing nine races against competing teams. The wind was blowing strong and steady all day, making for some very exhausted sailors upon returning to the Engstrom's that night. They were fed a delicious dinner and went to bed early to prepare for the next day of racing.
Sunday showed similar conditions to the day before, with winds blowing WNW steadily between 5 and 15 knots. The team tied with the U.S. Naval Academy for ninth place, but overall the regatta was excellent practice against very competitive varsity teams. Team members left Boston early in the afternoon and were able to make it home before midnight.
Thanks again to the Engstroms for hosting us, and Go Blue!
-Sarah Sloan, '16
