ICSA News

The spring season is well underway for College Sailing. There are 4 national titles up for grabs and teams have been vying for berths. Brown University is set to host the Women’s and Open Team Race National Championship (April 24-26 & 27-28) before St. Mary’s College of Maryland welcomes teams for Women’s Fleet Race and Open Fleet Race National Championships (May 20-23 & 27-30).

The ICSA announced the organization's new Executive Director: Retired Rear Adm. Peter J. Fanta.

Fanta is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy (‘83), where he sailed on the varsity offshore team and was a member of the US Sailing Offshore Champion winning team. In his 37-year Naval career Fanta worked in senior levels of the military at sea in command of a multitude of forces, ashore on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in civilian government, and in the corporate shipbuilding industry. While commissioned, he earned a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University as a Moreau Scholar, and a Master of National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.

The NEISA Awards Committee has announced the 2025 NEISA Watch List. Following the fall season, the committee has identified the top contenders for the six major All-NEISA awards. In identifying honorees, the committee looked at the comprehensive records of sailors throughout the fall season, and narrowed down the Watch List by considering the following criteria: quality and quantity of a sailor’s competitive record, how the record compares to those of fellow competitors, the quality of competition in which the record was achieved, results achieved competing with different skippers and crews, and how the record compares to those of All-NEISA sailors selected in previous years. While these stand-out players are the initial contenders, all players are eligible for NEISA Awards.

The Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) is seeking a passionate and highly organized Executive Director to lead the administrative operations of collegiate sailing in the United States. This is a full-time, remote position (East Coast preferred) with required travel to major collegiate sailing events. The ideal candidate will have strong operational experience, a deep passion for collegiate sailing and/or collegiate sports, and the ability to drive efficiency while collaborating with committees, sponsors, and event hosts. If you're excited about shaping the future of collegiate sailing, we encourage you to apply!

Please send cover letter and resume to ICSA President Greg Wilkinson.

View Job Description

After an impressive undefeated performance on the final day of competition, the Boston College Eagles (BC) earned The 2024 College Sailing Match Race National Championship! Competition for The Cornelius Shields Sr. Trophy was fierce this year as ten collegiate teams battled in dynamic conditions over the course of a three day competition hosted by Oyster Bay, New York’s Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club. 

“Having to do a five-way tiebreaker just to get into the quarter finals was challenging,” said regatta organizer Robyn Philip-Norton. “But it meant the competition was great and at a really high level.” 

A Historic National Title for the Webb Institute and Sophia Montgomery Secures a Second Singlehanded National Championship

Event Website | Open Results | Women's Results | Photos

According to PRO Todd Fedyszyn, the racing was incredibly close, but Daniel Escudero ‘25 of the Webb Institute and Sophia Montgomery '25 of Harvard University came out ahead to secure the 2024 College Sailing Open and Women’s Singlehanded National Championship titles. 

“It was awesome to see the 18 boats finishing within a minute of each other in nearly every race,” said Fedyszyn, Race Director at St. Petersburg Yacht Club. “There were a lot of race winners in the field this weekend. A testament to the level of competition here.”

*** de Castro '26, Kiss '25, and Lory '27 are NEISA Open Sailors of the Week ***

*** Ziskind '27, Hadfield '27, Danielson '28, and Chen '27 are NEISA Women's Sailors of the Week ***

The selections have been made for the College Sailing Fall National Championships. The Open and Women’s Singlehanded National Championships will be hosted by St. Petersburg Yacht Club on November 9-10, 2024. The College Sailing Open Match Race National Championship will be hosted by Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club on November 15-17, 2024.

The National Championship Selection Committees are charged with selecting the most competitive field of At-Large Candidates for the National Championships. To be eligible, candidates must have competed in a corresponding Conference Championship in any ICSA conference. Selectors must honor the finishing order at any respective conference championship; to select the fourth-place sailor in a conference, they must also select the second and third place candidates. 

*** Decker '28 and Lee '26 are NEISA Open Sailors of the Week ***

*** E Cowles '25 and Avila-Shah '25 are NEISA Women's Sailors of the Week ***

For any teams 2024 Match Race Nationals competitors wishing to stay at the Oakcliff bunkhouse in Oyster Bay during the event, please e-mail race@oakcliffsailing.com for information on bunkhouse reservations.

Or Contact Patrice at
OAKCLIFF SAILING
4 South Street
Oyster Bay, NY 11771
516-802-0368 (p)
516-802-3272 (f)

It is a dormitory-style bunkhouse. The space features accommodation for 40 with a large, light, open-plan living space, chef’s kitchen and dedicated space for de-briefs, warm showers and, camaraderie.