Nov. 23, 2003

St. Petersburg, Fla - After 3 days and 15 races, the 2003 College Single-handeds concluded with Stanford sailors Brian Haines and Ashley Frush earning 4th and 13th respectively in the competitive fleets. The 3-day, 15-race event, hosted by Eckerd College (St.Petersburg, FL) was sailed in Olympic-class Lasers for the Men and Laser Radials for the women. Top qualifiers from the seven Intercollegiate Sailing Association districts competed.

Competition was close in the men's fleet, with significant lead changes after almost every race. A sophomore, and the current Pacific Coast Champion, Haines competed in this event last year and finished 7th overall. "Brian was consistent enough to remain in the top of the fleet," Coach Brent Harrill commented. Haines' overall position ranged from 9th to 3rd throughout the series, at one point sitting a mere two points out of second. "Haines was on pace with the top three," said Harrill, "the top four were not determined until the final race." Although his early races ranged from 1st to 11th, due to a penalty in the last race, Haines earned a 15th and set himself solidly in 4th overall.

Current Pacific Coast Single-handed Champion, returning to competing in the Women's Single-handed Nationals, senior Ashley Frush was unable to better her finish of 13th from the 2001 event. "Ashley was able to grind out some good finishes," Coach Jay Kehoe explained, "but with only 4 finishes in the top 8 of the fleet kept her out of the top 10."

The Stanford Sailing Team, recently ranked 3rd in the nation by Sailing World magazine's panel of coaches, goes on hiatus through much of the winter. They resume competition as the defending champions the pre-season Rose Bowl Regatta at USC (Jan 4-5, '04). Regular season begins with the McIntyre Team Race at Stanford on March 6-7. Their season culminates in the Women's, Team Race and Coed Dinghy Nationals at Cascade Locks, Oregon (May 28-June 6, '04).