Milton(MA) wins Mallory, Southern Regional(NJ) takes Cressy

New London, CT/May 9-10, 1998(Surf and Storm): Two days of a smashing northeasterly and driving rain marked the 1998 ISSA National High School Sailing Nationals as a regatta to remember. It also marked firsts for both winners. Neither Milton Academy(MA) which won the Doublehandeds for the Mallory Trophy nor Southern Regional(NJ)l in the Singlehandeds(Cressy) had ever won either championship in all their history.

20 teams selected nationwide in district championships qualified for the Mallory doublehanded two-division competition, with the number of entries in proportion to the school memberships in each of the districts. Most populous New England posted six teams which captured five of the top ten places. Two of California's four teams placed top three. It was Yankee weather with a vengance, including a sharp, steep wind-driven chop and a swift tidal current in the Thames River off the Coast Guard Academy's Sailing Center where the series was based.

NESSA President Roger Rawlings organized a superb regatta, with an outstanding team of volunteers. A full round of twenty races for the Mallory in CFJs and 420s and an 18-race series for the Cressy in full-rig Lasers was completed by CGA Coach Bill Healy's Race Management team on two courses, and Dan Davis' jury on and off the water used a "fast track" protest system which radically reduced hearing times. In addition to Dan, Pat Healy, Mary Savage, Penny Hare,Oakley Jones, Hart Kelley and Peter Reggio monitored racing on the water.

Dave Perry spoke to the sailors at the Saturday dinner given by local host The Williams School, and Gary Jobson, there to tape a program for ESPN, chatted with them before the awards.

Southern Regional's Spencer Weber dominated the 30 boat Cressy fleet, 37 points ahead of second place Steve Brown of La Jolla HS(CA) followed closely by St. Petersburg HS(FL)'s Sean Doyle, Mission Bay(CA)'s David Hochart and St. Augustine HS(FL)'s Danny Pletsch. Sails for the Cressy fleet were provided by Vanguard Sailboats, and 11 Lasers were loaned by King's Point(USMMA), trucked at Vanguard's expense. Following first-time winner Milton Academy, perennially strong Newport Harbor HS(CA) was second in the Mallory, Point Loma HS(CA) third, and Williams fourth. Pt. Loma HS topped A Division, Williams won B. Williams almost wasn't in the series due to a glitch in the New England Championship scoring, corrected in time and graciously not contested by Falmouth HS(MA), the original qualifier.