Perseverance for Sailing at MIT

Gossip Girl here,

We began our journey to MIT Sunday morning around 8 am. Even as we left RWU, Meaghan had a rough time controlling the van over the blustery bridge with her tiny arms. The drive up in the rain was pretty standard except for our small detour to Logan Airport (courtesy of the driver, and navigator Alyssa).

The wind was a casual 15 to 20 knots from the north/northeast. We began the day with one last round robin (which we again went undefeated in). Our sail off was against Tufts. We switched from storm jibs to full jibs because the wind supposedly died a little.

Even with their big ears on, the Jumbos were unable to soar past the Hawks at the end of the sail off. The Hawks crushed the event, and proved once and for all, for all of the downtrodden people of our land, that with hard work, perseverance and a positive attitude even the mightiest of tasks can be swiftly and easily executed.

On Sunday morning, we woke up and left for MIT at around 8:30. It was rainy and cold, and as we drove on Storrow Drive, Alyssa had some colorful words to convey her feelings about sailing on the Charles. When we first arrived the wind was blowing a meager 20 knots with gusts at 25 from the northeast.

We were told to rig up with storm jibs because the wind was expected to pick up. Unfortunately we had limited time to rig because we were told the report time was 10 a.m. when it was really 9:30 (I was told to thank Amanda). Due to the wind conditions, certain safety rules were put to effect (which were later severely needed by McGill and their somewhat inappropriate westsuit/spray gear combination).

We went undefeated in the first round robin (where we were greeted by Dr. Spiller giving us a SOAR arm movement) and then took a quick lunch break. Captain McHorney saved the day with his heavy stature as Sophie was switched out to go on a much needed Dunkin’s hot chocolate run.

Alec and Ryan were quite swift and unstoppable in their 325 lbs. boat. We went undefeated again in the second round robin. Shua was protested by Tufts for a leeward mark rounding (using a rule which does not apply in team racing. As the Hawks SOARED home high and mighty, the Tufts’ elephants marched their gaggle of elephants back home as the day wrapped up.

Love,
Sophie