2019 SailPack Oriental Intercollegiate Regatta Preview:
College sailing prepares to return for what is becoming a springtime tradition; the SailPack Oriental Intercollegiate Regatta. Marking the 5th year of this event, NC State Sailing and Bow to Stern Boating Center will welcome 18 college sailing teams, sailors, coaches, families and friends to town for two days of competitive sailing and outstanding hospitality. With the gracious support of so many individuals, families and businesses across the community, this event has continued to grow.
This year’s edition is also the first time the regatta has been held in coordination with another signature event, the Oriental In-Water Boat Show, making the Sailing Capital of North Carolina the place to be on April 12-14th. “Partnering with another favorite event in town was a blessing this year. From simply being real estate on the calendar, the wonderful Oriental Boat Show organizers and our volunteers organizing the regatta found so many ways we could work together,” says NC State head Coach Dana Magliola. “Hosting the two events concurrently will offer everyone who comes to Oriental a taste of the broad spectrum of things happening on and off the water and we really think that this year’s partnership with the Oriental Boat Show will be a multiplier for both events.”
With so much happening this weekend, here’s a preview of what you might expect on the water – and details on everything you need to know about on shore!
The level of competition at this year’s regatta will continue to intensify as the event and sailing location gain the attention of more college sailors and coaches. With 18 teams sending sailors, there’s sure to be a packed starting line and tight racing all across the fleet. With two divisions sailing, the teams will complete 15 to 20 short races over the span of the two-day event and the cumulative low score for the event will determine the winners. Races will be viewable on the historic Oriental waterfront from Lou Mac Park, the shoreside lawn of the Stallings House, and South Avenue. Scores can also be followed online at https://scores.collegesailing.org/s19/sailpack-oriental-intercollegiate/.
This article originally appeared on TownDock.net
What to expect – on the water:
The 2019 SailPack Oriental Intercollegiate Regatta begins on the morning of Saturday, April 13th with an opening ceremony at Bow to Stern Boating Center at 9:30AM directly following the skippers’ meeting. After launching boats, the teams will sail to the Neuse River and competition will begin shortly after 10:00AM if conditions allow. The regatta will continue until the afternoon with the final race of the day starting around 4:30PM. Sunday sailing will begin at 9:30AM once again at Bow to Stern Boating Center and racing will take place on the Neuse River adjacent to South Avenue in Oriental. Racing will end on Sunday around 2:30PM.
As the regatta gets underway on Saturday morning, look for an early statement from the Jacksonville University Fins as they return to defend last year’s regatta win. The Fins are an early favorite not simply by tradition, but in recognition of their outstanding and dominant season in college sailing qualifying for nearly every division of ICSA Nationals from Match Racing, Singlehanded men’s and women’s fleet racing in the fall, to team racing and co-ed doublehanded fleet racing in the spring. Keep an eye on the Captains of Christopher Newport University, a varsity program from tidewater Virginia and a stalwart of the Mid-Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association (MAISA) conference. No stranger to Oriental, the Captains will be in the mix for sure. The host Wolfpack of NC State University is another team to watch. Building on their time on the water over spring break and local knowledge of their coastal home, the SailPack bring both young talent and experienced veterans to the event. Consistency will be the key to success for NC State if they hope to win “at home.” Virginia Tech arrives in Oriental coming off a strong podium finish 3rd in the 2019 Buckeye Invitational Regatta hosted by Ohio State. Another SAISA program to watch is the University of North Carolina-Wilmington Seahawks. After a win at SAISA North Points #2 and leading the north division of SAISA for a stint, the affectionately-known Dub will look to make the most of their experienced roster. Also familiar to Oriental, the College of William & Mary Tribe, Davidson College Wildcats, Duke University Blue Devils, and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Tarheels all return to Oriental where they participated in last November’s Hurricane Relief Regatta & Cleanup event, eventually won by sailors wearing Carolina Blue. Other teams racing include Clemson University, Georgia Tech, Penn State University, Stony Brook University, University of Georgia, University of Maryland, University of Pittsburg, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, and Wake Forest University.
Fun & hospitality off the water (and why the “SailPack Oriental” is special):
Throughout college sailing, this regatta has earned a reputation as a competitive event with great conditions and world-class hospitality. The help, support and excitement from the community makes it a unique experience for college sailors. “That connection to the community, on and off the water, is a hallmark of this regatta – and truly of Oriental,” says NC State head coach Dana Magliola. “To offer some context for those new to college sailing: there are few college sailing regattas with more enthusiastic local involvement,” Magliola continued. “Most of the time, teams travel to regattas, sail and return home. Rarely do they get to know where they are sailing. So, this event – and the amazing welcome received in Oriental – is special.” In addition, sailors and coaches will be treated to breakfast both days from Brantley’s Village Restaurant compliments of the three sailing clubs in Oriental, the Sailing Club of Oriental (SCOO), The Oriental Dinghy Club (ODC), and the Neuse Sailing Association (NSA). Many thanks to their members for feeding young sailors, no small feat.
“For us, the people and community are one of the best parts of sailing and being in Oriental. Everyone here celebrates sailing and makes sailors feel right at home from the moment they arrive,” said NC State Team Captain Adam Augustine (Sr., Winston-Salem, NC). “We love sharing this with our friends and competitors across college sailing – plus a huge part of the experience is the food!” We couldn’t host the SailPack Oriental Intercollegiate Regatta without also sharing some North Carolina BBQ (and fixins!) with our guests, so the action kicks off at 6:00PM on Saturday, April 13th at the Red Rooster Bar, right behind The Silos Restaurant on Broad Street-Extended. Last year’s barbeque was a sell-out and received local feedback as one of the best parties of the year. Rocking local favorites Saltwater Gold return to the stage this year for an always-packed event!
The regatta and BBQ event are supported through ticket sales. To pick up your wristband, drop by Inland Waterways Provision Company, Bow-to-Stern Boating Center, or The Silos Restaurant. Before Saturday, tickets will be $15, so pick up your wristband early. Day-of admission will be $20. College sailors and coaches competing are provided with free admission, so no one leaves Oriental hungry – a favorite perk of all of the college sailors indeed. T-shirts, koozies, patches, and other merchandise will also be sold over the weekend to help cover the cost of putting on this regatta.
Many teams say that this is their favorite event of the year and teams traveling to North Carolina are excited about the regatta. “We immediately have a waiting list when we open registration for this event, so when a team secures a berth, it’s a big deal,” says NC State Women’s Team Captain Victoria Newberry (Jr., Dover, NC). “Sailors mark it on their calendar and look forward to it all season.”
Copies of this year's event poster will be available for free at the Oriental In-Water Boat Show.
