Boston College Athletics
Former Eagles Fare Well in Miami
February 13, 2004 | Sailing
Feb. 13, 2004
Two former Boston College sailors competed in the Miami Olympic Classes Regatta last week in Miami, FL. Carrie Howe ('03) and Pete Spaulding ('98) were in the field of 503 in the only International Sailing Federation Grade 1 event in the U.S., which attracted competitors from 39 countries. The regatta also served as a tune-up for the Olympic Trials in several classes of boats, including Howe's class, the Yngling, and Spaulding's class, the 49er.
Howe's team started off strong in Miami and was the top U.S. team after two days of racing. A difficult third day in lighter breeze saw them slip a little in the standings. Still, they were able to finish a respectable eighth, fifth among American teams. Howe's team is now focused on the Olympic Trials, which began on February 12.
Spaulding, who was BC's Eagle of the Year in 1998, and his skipper Tim Wadlow dominated the 49er class, as they have for the past eighteen months. Ranked #1 on the U.S. 49er Team, they won four of 10 races and finished in the top three in five others, sailing away from the international field and finishing the regatta with a comfortable 16-point lead. Spaulding and Wadlow are the favorites going into their Olympic Trials where they hope to take one step closer to their goal of Olympic Gold in Athens this summer.
Current BC junior Frank Ustach also sailed the event, pairing up with Pat Rynne of Brown in the 49er class. Ustach and Rynne found the conditions difficult, suffered several mechanical failures, and finished well back in the pack. New to the class this summer, Ustach was happy to have the opportunity to sail against such a competitive fleet.
