“Against that level of competition, you can’t make mistakes because once you make it, the other team will act on it [and] solidify it,” O’Connor said. “There’s not much you can do unless you can outhandle them, and we’re just still too young to be able to not mistakes and comeback against a very good team.”

With the season now over, Harvard is now looking forward to next season. While inexperience may have cost the squad this season, no starters are graduating this year.

“I actually think we’re in a very good position for next season,” Slattery said. “Once we have more experience, we will definitely have a good chance of making team race nationals.”

Outside of team racing, it may have been a disappointing season for Harvard sailing, but next year brings with it some serious promise. The sophomore trio of Slattery and brothers Brian and Michael Drumm have the potential to develop into a dominant leading corps, while co-captain Isabel Ruane and classmate Sarah Pierson will also return.

“I think the experience these guys got this year has been valuable,” O’Connor said.” I would have liked them to have got some more experience, particularly sailing in the nationals, but we’re excited about the work these kids are doing. They’ll continue to work hard and we’re going to get in a couple more good players next year, so we’re pretty excited about next season.”

—Staff writer Julian Ryan can be reached jryan01@college.harvard.edu.