This past weekend, four members of the Hillsdale sailing team competed in the Midwest Collegiate Sailing Association Sloop Championship on the Detroit River just off of Belle Isle, Detroit. Hillsdale hosted the regatta in partnership with the Detroit Yacht Club. The Chargers placed fifth out of eight teams.

Bill Heller, race chair of the event, said this championship has been held since 1972. This competition is unique because the yacht club has never charged schools a participation fee. Heller said this preserves enthusiasm for college sailing. The yacht club supplies food, lodging, and boats. Hillsdale has sailed in this championship since 2017, and in 2022 took home first place.

The Regatta kicked off on Sept. 21 with two races, and Hillsdale placed sixth and third respectively.

After every two races, all teams are required to sail back to the dock and rotate boats. This ensures no team has an unfair advantage. 

Hilldale’s crew comprised of senior Maya Toman, freshman Lily Northon, and freshman Finn Rowan. The skipper for the Chargers was junior Alya MacManaway. 

Other crews hailed from Grand Valley State University, Hope College, Toledo University, Miami University, Michigan Technological University, and Western Michigan University. 

“I remember seeing Hillsdale at a lot of regattas in past years and was always impressed at their skill and how nice the sailors were,” Jack Rutherford, a competitor from Hope College, said. 

Hillsdale ended the day sleeping in a 48-foot-long sailboat provided by one of the Detroit Yacht Club members.

On Sunday, due to a lack of wind, only two competitions took place. Hillsdale placed fifth in both races.

Once the races were over, the yacht club hosted an awards ceremony. Michigan Tech received first place, Hope College placed second, and Western Michigan University finished third. 

Though Hillsdale did not medal, the regatta contained many firsts for the team. 

MacManaway said it’s exciting to see new members come to practice and then proceed to attend regattas. This was MacManaway’s first time skippering in a regatta. 

“I am excited for the future of the sailing team and look forward to more regattas,” MacManaway said.