HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i sailing team turned in an imperious performance, placing all four fielded squads in the top five to run away with the Peter Wenner Rainbow Invite crown for the 10th year in a row. The annual Rainbow Invite was held this weekend, Jan. 17-18, in UH's home waters of Ke'ehi Lagoon.
160 sailors from 14 different schools across the country and Canada kicked off their spring seasons in amazing conditions for sailing. They were met with wind speeds exceeding 20 knots that set the stage for high-speed racing. The weather did not carry over to the second day, however, as rain clouds loomed and vacuumed out most of the wind. In a regatta initially scheduled for 24 races to take place, the standstill conditions cut the total down to 22, 11 each in the A and B divisions.
UH's Rainbows team steamrolled the field, distancing themselves from the runners-up by 60 points. The Rainbows' regatta-low 43 points was primarily powered by a strong weekend from the senior-freshman duo in the B division, Everett McAvoy and Alister Muto, with Seaena Charlton serving as crew for two races. The group placed first in eight of the 11 races, placing second in the remaining three and totaling 14 points. Trailing behind them was Erik Anderson and Amanda Turner in the A division, winning three races and placing in the top three in seven. This duo scored 29 points.
The Rainbow Wahine team placed second in the competition, also propelled by a strong performance in its B division. The 103-point team had 32 scored from the trio of Stella Taherian, Peyton Lieser, and Elin Reigstad. This three-headed lineup placed in the top three in eight of their 11 races, winning two. The B division's first and second place finishes in their last two races pushed them into second place. In the A division, Martha Schuessler raced the entire weekend at skipper, with Avery Hogue and Jenna Englehart splitting time at crew.
The Rainbow Green team placed fourth, right behind UC Santa Barbara who rounded out the podium. William Bagley split time with Amanda Wheeler in the A division, and Leila Landay, Lily Beckerman, and Gabi Furnans competing at crew. Arden Rathkopf and Ann Tokoyoda raced all 11 races in the B division.
Completing the top-five was the Rainbow White team, which featured Kahlia Bailey, Grady Van Ness, Gabriella Delgado, Kylie Alexander, Quinn Gladstone-Lamas, and Nova Hazen in the A division. Spencer Fleming, Zach Brennan, Erin Wilmore, and Olivia Merz all sailed in the B division.
The 'Bows' coed team will aim to continue their momentum when they sail in the PCCSC Top Nine Open in Redwood City, Calif. on Feb. 14-15. The Rainbow Wahine will be back on the water next weekend when they look to keep their winning streak alive at the Jeff Simon's Women's Regatta in San Diego, Calif. on Jan. 24-25.
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