This weekend marked the beginning of the 2017 season for the Queen's Sailing Team.  With just one regatta held this weekend, the team set high expectations sending four veterans to compete. 

The Gaels competed at the Laurier/Waterloo Invitational Regatta this past Saturday alongside Waterloo, Laurier, McMaster and the Royal Military College. 

The regatta saw a sunny day with 4-8 oscillating winds out of the north.  The small lake and difficult wind conditions resulted in course changes for the Gaels for every rotation.

Zac Bau and Darcy Wells were racing in the A fleet and won all six races in a dominating fashion. Kate Minkhorst and Lily Merovitz-Budning posted several mud fleet finishes with one second place, two third places, and a fourth place finish. Queen's was tied for first place with McMaster in total points following day one, but the Gaels collected more first place finishes throughout the day to give the tricolour the tie breaker.

On Sunday, the windless conditions did not allow for racing.  By noon, the Race Committee called the event with no additional races being completed. 

The weekend highlighted a strong start to the fall season for the Gaels Sailing Team, who will look to compete this weekend at the McMaster Invitational in Hamilton.