Although it certainly was not smooth sailing at Brown this weekend, the stormy weather did not prevent the Harvard sailing team from qualifying for Nationals at this weekend's New England Championships.

The team captured the fourth and final qualifying spot out of 15 schools, which entitles it to a trip to the ICYRA North American Dinghy Championships in New Orleans from June 1-3.

Led by senior skipper Dan Parkes and junior skipper Peter Strothman, the team qualified after two days and 28 races of intense competition.

"New England is a really tough division," said junior Chris Perriello. "The top seven teams battled it out until the last race."

It was not until then that Harvard cruised to the final qualifying spot by a one-point margin.

"It was a good event but we didn't have a particularly great regatta," Strothman said. "We've had much better all season. We are hoping to do even better [at Nationals]."

Each of the regatta's two divisions sailed 14 races, and the combined score determined who would go on to Nationals. Parkes was the skipper for Division A, with sophomore Lauren Toretta, junior Chris Perriello and sophomore Jason Carroll acting as a rotating crew.

Division B was skippered by Strothman, with junior Brian Fox at crew until the last two races during which Perriello took over.

Because of the windy conditions, the heavier crews not accustomed to sailing with Parkes and Strothman stepped in and stepped it up, enabling Harvard to keep its season going.

"I usually don't crew for [Dan or Peter]. A lot of different people got time to work for the team," Perriello said.

The team now looks forward to its trip to the bayou where it will face 15 other top schools from around the nation. Parkes and Strothman plan to try to find a new practice site, since the waters of New Orleans will be much different than the Charles.

The other three qualifying teams from New England are all also from the Boston area--Boston University, Boston College and Tufts.

"It is a great feeling [to go to Nationals]," Perriello said. "It is going to be tough because most other schools are done with finals and can practice a lot. We are going to be strapped for time and have to work really hard, [but] we'll do our best and go down there with a positive attitude."

The June trip is especially memorable for the seniors since they will be graduating the day after they return from New Orleans.

"It is pretty exciting," Parkes said. "[with] 40 hours of practice a week, sailing has been a significant part of my college experience."

A strong performance at Nationals could add substantially to that experience. The Crimson will go south armed with the promise of a season still in progress, and intent on showing the rest of the nation that Harvard sailing is a force to contend with.