The underdog Harvard sailing team captured its first intersectional victory in more than five years by winning the highly prestigious 45th annual Timmie Angston Regatta-Midwest Championships held in Chicago during Thanksgiving weekend.

The Crimson didn't let its relatively low seed discourage it from going all the way. Harvard was in for a tough fight, but the Crimson refused to quit.

"We were expected to place fifth or sixth before the race," said team captain and race participant, senior John Dickson. "It was clear after the first day when we placed second, that we were contenders."

The regatta, one of the premiere midwestern races, drew intercollegiate sailing teams from across the country.

Tough Competition

Last year's champion St. Mary's (Maryland), University of Michigan, Stanford, Princeton, and others competed for the cup.

But Harvard proved superior.

Junior Elliott Merrill, who paired with Dickson, and teammates Julie Caldwell and Christine Hinckley manned the 10-foot Dyer Flyer which won the regatta.

Yacht Club

The regatta which included 28 races held over three grueling days was held at the Chicago Yacht Club on Lake Michigan. Each race required co-ed sailing teams to negotiate a sailing race on a course that changed each day of competition.

"On the first day there were a total of fourteen races and initially we didn't do so well mainly because of the wind," said Dickson. "We trailed the lead team, St. Mary's, by as much as 20 points."

Harvard refused to say die.

Things Looking Grim

Things looked grim for the Crimson. But the Harvard team held fast. The Crimson would not lose its lead.

The second day of the race featured howling winds that chilled the sailors. But Harvard would not be discouraged in the face of adversity. The Crimson ignored the harsh climate and sailed to victory.