Blue Hill—While the majority of the spring sports teams have had little time on the field, the weather has not stopped the George Stevens Academy sailing team from taking the water for both practice and competition.
The team was on the water for the first time April 6 and 7, with a competition in Marblehead, Mass. Saturday was a day for trial and error, and the team took two quick losses to Marblehead and Mount Desert Island. Sunday’s competition went better, according to coach Andy Stephenson, and the team placed second on the day.
The team returns six sailors from last year’s fleet, including sophomore Hope Bowen, juniors Ryan Mitchell, Tom Mount-Miller, and Joe Ciampa, and seniors Katie Forrest and Silas Murnik. Five freshmen complete the team, while senior Marie-Louise Boulet rejoins the team after spending her junior year in France.
Forrest, Murnik and Mitchell were the “go to” sailors last year, according to Stephenson.
“It’s great to have them back and see their continued improvement,” he said.
The younger sailors have all sailed before, some in 420’s at Kollegewidgwok Yacht Club in Blue Hill, he added, but all show a willingness to challenge themselves which “will speed their development.”
Stephenson said the improvements have already showed during the early weeks of the season, and that the sailors are learning things quickly.
“I’m really proud of this group. They’ve been done everything that has been asked of them, including practicing a couple of days in the snow, with a sense of commitment and purpose,” said Stephenson.
The team has only one home competition during the season, hosting the Downeast Regatta in Castine on May 11 and 12. The sailors are looking forward to that event, he said.
“This is a group of kids who works well together and bring out each other’s best.”
The 2019 George Stevens Academy sailing team includes, in front from left, Frances Spangler, Gabe Hall, Chloe Sheahan, Clementine Bannon and Katie Forrest. In back are Morgan Davis, Marie Boulet, Ryan Mitchell, Wyatt McKechnie, Tom Mount-Miller and coach Andy Stephenson. Not pictured are Hope Bowden, Silas Murnik and Joe Ciampa. Photo courtesy of Larry Gray