2024 Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta Overall: 313 sailors from 41 schools
by Storm Trysail Club, 14 Oct 15:05 PDT
October 12-13, 2024
Webb Institute and College of Charleston Win Top Prizes Among 41 Schools at the 2024 Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta Hosted by Storm Trysail Club and Larchmont Yacht Club.
The 2024 Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta (IOR), co-hosted by Storm Trysail Club and Larchmont Yacht Club, wrapped up last weekend after two days of hard racing on Long Island Sound. The event featured a remarkable 326 sailors from 41 schools across 19 U.S. states and 3 Canadian provinces. With six divisions in action, each team completed between six and seven races, demonstrating the skill and enthusiasm of college sailors from North America.
Saturday brought ideal sailing conditions, with clear skies and a consistent breeze of 8-12 knots, perfect for competitive racing. All classes managed to finish four windward-leeward races over a 5-nautical mile course, taking full advantage of the excellent weather. Sunday began with cloudy skies, but the sun broke through, facilitating an early start with two additional races to conclude the weekend. Sailors enjoyed robust competition throughout both days, courtesy of the favorable weather and efficient race management.
The prestigious Paul Hoffman Trophy, presented to the overall winner with the highest winning percentage, was claimed by Webb Institute’s modified J/105 Sleeper, helmed by Rayne Duff. Duff attributed their success to “reliably good starts, strong teamwork, and a fun-focused mentality were crucial this weekend.” Webb Institute, recognized for its strong offshore program, excelled during the event, winning every race.
The IOR represents a significant endeavor, relying on the generous contributions of boats and time from owners and club members, providing college sailors with a unique opportunity to participate in offshore racing. While some institutions like Webb have dedicated offshore teams, many competing schools typically sail keelboats only once a year, focusing primarily on dinghy sailing. Nonetheless, teams traveled from as far as Texas A&M in Galveston, the University of Wisconsin, and Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia to take part in this annual event.
Despite the logistical challenges, the event continues to expand, and organizers were excited to welcome new schools this year: Clemson University, Middlebury College, Olin College of Engineering, Rutgers University, Texas A&M, the University of New Hampshire, and the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
The Puff Trophy, awarded to the team with the second-highest winning percentage, was awarded to the College of Charleston Cougars for their remarkable performance in the J/105 Kestrel, owned by CofC alumnus Chuck McCarthy. Skipper Luke Tougas shared his thoughts on the weekend, stating, “We eagerly anticipate Larchmont IOR every year for the countless opportunities it presents. Our performance in this event boiled down to our determination.” Tougas credited the team’s success to strong crew collaboration, stating, “Driving the boat in the right direction is easy, but consistently positioning the sails correctly is a real challenge.” He also expressed gratitude to the McCarthy family for providing them with a J/105 and acknowledged their safety officer, Ned Goss, for sustaining the team’s motivation with his saying, “Firetrucks don’t stop at red lights!”
In the Swan 42 category, the University of Michigan’s Zammermoos, skippered by River Severia, took first place in their division. Severia emphasized the critical role of communication and teamwork, saying, “These boats are quite large and powerful, so we needed to communicate effectively about our actions and timing. By maintaining this focus, we significantly improved our boat’s speed and tactics throughout the weekend.” Severia also lauded the IOR as an exceptional regatta, remarking, “It’s a unique chance for collegiate sailors to compete against each other in keelboats rather than the usual dinghies.”
A memorable aspect of the regatta was the camaraderie displayed both on and off the water. The event featured a vibrant social gathering under the tent on Saturday, made possible by the warm hospitality of Larchmont Yacht Club, which created an extraordinary experience for participants.
The success of this event was made possible by the support of the Storm Trysail Foundation and its generous partners who share its mission: ShopRite of Carteret, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Helly Hansen, Risk Strategies-Gowrie Group, Harken Derm, Carlsberg (Sheehan Co), McMichael Yacht Yards and Brokers, UK Sailmakers Northeast, Dimension-Polyant, and Gifted of Larchmont.
The IOR concluded on Sunday with smiles from all teams, who are already looking ahead to future events and inquiring when sign-ups for 2025 will commence. The 2024 IOR solidified its reputation as a must-attend regatta, providing college sailors with an invaluable opportunity to enhance their offshore racing skills and cultivate lasting relationships.
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