Severn Sailing Team Goes Undefeated to Win MASSA District Team Racing Championship

This regional win qualifies Severn for the Baker Team National Championship, which will take place in Deephaven, MN on May 20 & 21.

Severn’s sailing program has now captured the MASSA District Team Racing Championship every year since 2018, for a total of five championships. The only exception was in 2020, when the races were canceled due to COVID.

“I am really proud of the whole team -- each member, sailing in this event or not, should also take pride in this,” said Head Coach Tom Sitzmann, who has been at the helm of the sailing program since 2005. “The final scores may make it look like something else, but this was highly competitive -- nail-biting at times -- and we had to pull a rabbit out of a hat a few other times.” Sitzmann noted that overall the team sailed really well, and showed great respect for their fellow racers. He also pointed out the difference the shore crew made, providing excellent support for their teammates.

The competing sailors experienced big shifts in the wind and strong currents on the Chester River on Saturday, followed by rain and a solid 5-10 knot breeze on Sunday. Race organizers also noted that the racing was tight throughout the event.

Severn’s team competed against skilled sailing teams from Archbishop Spalding, Norfolk Academy, Hampton Roads Academy, Christchurch School, Broadneck High School, The Stoney Brook School and Norfolk Collegiate School. Archbishop Spalding and Norfolk Academy were the second and third place finishers, respectively.

Full race results can be found here.