The Polar Bears missed fifth place by just one point this weekend at the most competitive trophy event of the fall season, the Oberg Trophy at MIT.
Sailing to sixth place were Pete Edmunds '14, Mae Speight '13, captain Jeff Goodrich '12, Clare Henry '12, Kaylee Schwitzer '15, and Ayaka Okawa '14.
Schwitzer and Okawa, who have both previously been voted Women's Sailors of the Week by the New England Intercollegiate Sailing Association, continued their pattern of standout performances, placing fourth in their division.
"We'll be seeing many of the same teams again next weekend for our league championship," said Goodrich.
At the Wellehan Trophy at the University of Southern Maine, Jimmy Rohman '13, Madison Rex '14, Michael Croteau '15, and Elise Engquist '15 sailed to second place out of 11 teams.
The women's team sailed at Connecticut College, but was unable to finish the regatta because there was not enough wind to complete the last race.
Last weekend's strong performances are only part of an overall pattern of success for Bowdoin sailing.
"Overall, this season has been a massive step forward for the team," said Goodrich. "We're deeper than we've ever been and have a very young varsity squad that can be competitive at the national level for years to come.'
Part of the team's success can be attributed to a change in training schedule that emphasizes longer practices.
"This has helped us get in the mindset for the long regattas we race each weekend," said Goodrich. "Mental endurance has been key."
-Compiled by Christine Parsons.