Newport reaches nationals

The Newport Harbor High sailing team continues its quest to repeat as national champion, as it has qualified for the National Team Racing Championship in Seattle, May 22 and 23.

Newport Harbor placed second overall in the highly competitive Pacific Coast Interscholastic Sailing Assn. team racing Baker Elimination in Mission Bay last weekend.

More than 70 races were held during the two-day event and Newport Harbor ended up in a three-way tie for second place. Unfortunately, after the initial results were tabulated, Newport was ostensibly eliminated as only the top three teams are eligible to move onto the finals. As a result, Newport Harbor was denied its place on the podium at the awards ceremony and was sent home.

However, 48 hours later and after a lengthy discussion regarding the tie-breaker rules and a recount of the scores, it was ruled that an error had occurred and Newport Harbor was reinstated to the second-place position.

Senior skippers Chris Segerblom and Randall Hause and junior skipper Cooper Scott along with their capable crew members Nicole Grice, Francesca Cappellini and Shelley Grice led the way for the Sailors as they sailed to a 12-4 record. Other team members for this event included Grant Wensley, Daniel Segerblom and Ryan Davidson.

Team racing consists of two three-boat teams that sail against one another in a grueling double-round-robin format. The Newport Harbor team placed second behind Point Loma. The other qualifier was Cathedral Catholic.

Newport Harbor also qualified to defend its other national title at the high school national fleet championships, which take place at Indian Harbor, Conn. next month.

— From staff reports