Groton, Connecticut, April 26, 2026 — Weston High School Sailing continued its spring season at the 2026 NESSA O’Day Qualifier, hosted at the UConn Avery Point Waterfront in Groton, Connecticut. The event brought together 12 high school sailing teams for a full day of competitive fleet racing in FJ class boats, with schools competing across A Division and B Division for the chance to advance to the NESSA O’Day Trophy Championship.

The Trojans finished 9th overall in a deep and highly competitive fleet, gaining valuable race experience against some of the strongest public and private school sailing programs in Connecticut and New England. Weston posted 133 total points, with 78 points in A Division and 55 points in B Division. In high school fleet racing, each race is scored by finishing place, and the A and B Division scores are combined for the team’s overall score.

Weston’s A Division boat was skippered by William Walker ’26, with crews Glen Kopis ’26 and Poe Fierro ’29. In B Division, skippers Tomas O’Byrne ’28 and Alexandra Walker ’28, along with crews James Krichavsky ’27, Tessa Negri ’29, and Addie Kistler ’29, delivered a strong performance, finishing 7th in the division with 55 points.

The regatta featured 16 total races, with eight races completed in A Division and eight in B Division. The final qualifying berth came down to the last race of the day, underscoring the close and competitive nature of the event. Hotchkiss, Brunswick, and Greenwich Country Day earned the three qualifying spots and advanced to the O’Day Trophy Championship in Hyannis, Massachusetts.

The O’Day Qualifier is one of the key events on the spring high school sailing calendar, and Weston’s participation reflects the team’s growing presence in the regional sailing community. Each regatta gives Weston sailors more time on the starting line, more experience in crowded mark roundings, and more exposure to the tactical demands of competitive fleet racing.

Weston Sailing continues to build momentum as a young and developing program. Against a strong field at Avery Point, the Trojans represented Weston with effort, resilience, and sportsmanship, laying the groundwork for continued progress in the seasons ahead.

The Weston High School Sailing Team took to the waters on for the New England Interscholastic Sailing Association (NESSA) O’Day Qualifier held at Portsmouth Abbey School in Bristol, Rhode Island.

The Trojans battled challenging conditions and a competitive fleet, completing a full series of races in variable winds as part of the district championship qualifier. A total of 12 teams from across the region competed in club 420s, with Weston finishing 11th overall in the standings.

“We’re incredibly proud of how our sailors performed in high winds and shifting conditions,” said Board of Director Conor O’Byrne “Each race provided valuable experience, and the effort and sportsmanship shown by our team were exemplary.”

The event served as a key step toward qualification for the O’Day Finals at New London, CT, with the top performers advancing based on their standings across the district regattas.

Weston’s team lineup featured skilled sailors competing in both A and B divisions, demonstrating resilience, tactical growth, and strong teamwork throughout the regatta.

The Weston High School Sailing Team competed with distinction at the Connecticut State Championship Regatta hosted by Indian Harbor Yacht Club and Grass Island in Greenwich, CT. This intense state regatta featured a highly competitive fleet from across Connecticut and surrounding prep schools, showcasing some of the top scholastic sailing programs in the region.

Among the notable programs in attendance were nationally and regionally respected teams such as The Hotchkiss School, Brunswick Greens Farms Academy, Darien High School, and Greenwich Academy Sailing, each bringing skilled crews and strong competitive traditions to this spring regatta.

In fleet racing across two divisions, The Hotchkiss School took the championship honors with a commanding performance, followed by Brunswick School and Fairfield Ludlowe High School rounding out the top tier. Weston’s sailors demonstrated grit and growth throughout the day’s races, gaining valuable experience against these elite programs.

Racing against such established teams pushes the Weston team to improve - and that’s exactly what this season is about. Our sailors remained focused and resilient in every race, and we’re proud of how they represented Weston on the water.

The CT States Regatta serves as a cornerstone event in the spring scholastic sailing calendar, bringing together a mix of public and private high schools - including historic sailing powerhouses and rising competitors - for a spirited championship test.