"The second day the winds were much stronger with Merrill and Hinckley sailing very consistently, placing second or third in each of their six races," said Dickson. "By the end of the second day we led by 20 points."

Insurmountable Lead

Harvard's lead would prove to be insurmountable. The second day's performance would be the turning point in the race.

On the regatta's third day St. Mary's won each of their heats. Their contingent turned up the heat on Harvard.

St. Mary's made it a tight race on the final day, closing in on a Harvard boat that had surged ahead of the crowd the day before. It would not be an easy task for St. Mary's.

But St. Mary's was unable to close the point spread, and the Crimson emerged triumphant by a margin of seven points.

Consistency

Merrill attributed Harvard's success to its consistency.

"We were the most consistent we have been all year," Merrill. "In our other earlier events we had some good and bad races, never achieving the kind of consistent sailing we wanted.

"But it all came together for us in Chicago," Merrill added with notable satisfaction.

Freezing Conditions

The Crimson survived inclement weather and freezing conditions to hang on for the win.

"The weather only became a factor on the third day when it became really cold," Caldwell noted. "We had to break the ice in some places to begin the race. But still it was all worth it."

"We are all very happy with our performance," she said.

"I've been sailing since my freshman year and have never won a regatta. This is great," Caldwell added.

"We were the most consistent we have been all year. In our earlier events we had some good and bad races, never achieving the kind of consistent sailing we wanted. But it all came together for us in Chicago." --Harvard juniElliott Merrill