Hampton, Va. – The Hampton University Pirates Sailing Team played host to eight other schools on Saturday and Sunday, and in the meantime managed to finish fourth overall in the annual Hampton Bay Days Regatta held at Strawberry Banks on the campus of Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia.

The Pirates used their plethora of experienced sailors for the weekend event to finish in the top five for the second weekend in a row. Saturday’s action featured just six races due to the severe absence of wind … which is rather strange during the fall season in the Tidewater area.

On Sunday, however, winds picked up and three more races in each division were completed. Modified Gold Cup and Modified Triangle races were held, while HU picked up 27 total points. Just eight points separated third place Christopher Newport from fourth place HU. Fordham took home first place for the weekend, while Old Dominion and Ocean City placed second and fifth respectively.

Nine races were held in two divisions on the weekend. The Pirates were led by Ricky Horseford and Timeer Nelson during A Division competition. The Pirates finished fifth in A Division with 47 points, 12 points behind CNU who finished in fourth place.

In B Division action, Yasmina Beckles and Maranda Smith had a great day as they skipped along the waters for second place with 27 points. Head Coach Carolyn Grant spoke highly of the duos performance.

“Yasmina and Maranda had a great day on Sunday, ending the regatta with two bullets (1st place finishes) and brining our overall score up to 4th over Ocean City County College. Yasmina, who skippered all weekend, had a great showing. Yasmina’s performance shows her natural talents for the sport and her hard work and practice has paid off.”

The Pirates will get back onto the waters again next weekend as they travel to Washington, D.C. to compete in the Georgetown Open.

1. Fordham –42
2. Old Dominion – 47
3. Christopher Newport – 66
4. Hampton – 74
5. Ocean City – 77
6. Maryland – 101
7. William & Mary – 126
8. American – 127
9. Salisbury –151