Inside Navy Sailing - Summer 2026
A Summer of Momentum
From victory in the Annapolis to Bermuda Race to a top-four finish at Fleet Race Nationals, from international competition in France to alumni world championships, Navy sailors continue to distinguish themselves across the sailing world. This issue celebrates the achievements of our Midshipmen, alumni, and supporters while looking ahead to the next opportunities for Navy sailors to lead, compete, and represent the Naval Academy on the national and international stage.
Tenacious Captures Annapolis to Bermuda Victory
The Navy offshore sailing team kicked off its summer campaign in impressive fashion as Midshipman Ford Buckley '27 and his crew aboard Tenacious captured victory in the 2026 Mustang Survival Annapolis to Bermuda Ocean Race.
Hosted by Eastport Yacht Club and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club, the 25th edition of the biennial race began on June 5 and challenged competitors to navigate 753 miles from Annapolis to Hamilton, Bermuda via the Chesapeake Bay, the Gulf Stream, and the open Atlantic Ocean.
Buckley and his crew completed the course in just over four days, securing first place in the ORC Open Division by a margin of 40 minutes over the second-place finisher.
Joining Buckley aboard Tenacious were Jackson Lubalin '27, Julia Fede '28, Lawton Harper '28, Christopher Lowery '29, Alex Chen '29, Jane Ragon '29, and Daniel Silva '29.
The victory highlighted the depth of Navy's Offshore Sailing program, with four Midshipmen crews competing in this year's race. Gallant, skippered by Isaac Katz '27, finished fourth in class, while Samantha Farley '27 guided Defiance to a fifth-place finish and Mike Fernandez '27 led Integrity to sixth.
Long regarded as one of offshore sailing's classic races, the Annapolis to Bermuda Race tests not only sailing skill and seamanship, but also leadership, endurance, teamwork, and decision-making under pressure — qualities that define both successful sailors and future naval officers.
Congratulations to Ford, his crew aboard Tenacious, and all of the Midshipmen sailors who represented the Naval Academy so well on the 753-mile journey to Bermuda.
The Midshipmen sailors had enthusiastic support as they departed Annapolis, with Superintendent LtGen Michael Borgschulte '91 and his wife, Dr. Gitte Borgschulte, joining Director of Competitive Sailing VADM (Ret.) Dixon Smith '83 aboard the Naval Academy Sailing Foundation's Protector Targa 28, generously donated by Laura and Alec '88 Cutler, to cheer on the crews of Integrity, Tenacious, Gallant, and Defiance as they headed down the Chesapeake Bay toward the open Atlantic.
The opportunity to see all four Navy 44s under sail at the start of one of offshore racing's classic events served as a fitting reminder of both the strong support Navy Sailing enjoys from Naval Academy leadership and the important role the program plays in developing future officers.
Intercollegiate Sailing Finishes Fourth at Fleet Race Nationals
The Navy Intercollegiate Sailing team closed out an outstanding 2025-26 campaign with a fourth-place finish at the ICSA Open Fleet Race National Championship in St. Petersburg, Florida.
After placing second in the Eastern Semifinals earlier in the week, the Midshipmen advanced to the national finals as one of the top 18 teams in the country and quickly established themselves among the championship contenders.
Navy got off to a strong start in the finals, taking an early lead in the regatta before a changing breeze and highly competitive fleet reshuffled the standings throughout the two-day championship. Entering the final race, the Midshipmen were locked in a battle with Yale for third place overall before ultimately securing a fourth-place national finish.
Nathan Smith '26 and Sarah McNelly '28 represented Navy in A Division, finishing sixth overall, while Henry Allgeier '27 and Fiona Cullen '27 placed seventh in B Division.
The championship also marked the conclusion of an exceptional Navy career for Smith, who graduates as one of the most accomplished sailors in recent program history and will be recognized later in this issue.
The result caps another exceptional season for the Intercollegiate team, which also captured the Athletic Directors Cup for just the second time in program history and produced multiple All-Americans and All-MAISA selections.
Congratulations to Head Coach Ian Burman, Associate Head Coach Dillon Paiva, Assistant Coach Katherine Jones, and the entire Intercollegiate Sailing team on an outstanding season representing the Naval Academy on the national stage.
Invincible Earns Podium Finish at Newport to Bermuda Race
The Navy Offshore Sailing team's summer success continued in June as Lauren Aaby '27 and her crew aboard Invincible captured third place in class and finished tenth in their division in the prestigious Newport to Bermuda Race.
Competing in the St. David's Lighthouse Division against 85 boats and sailing among a fleet of 144 entries from around the world, Invincible completed the 636-mile passage from Newport, Rhode Island to Bermuda after four days at sea.
Sailing aboard one of the Academy's Navy 44s alongside Aaby were Logan Hayes '27, Nico Martinez '27, Will Greene '28, Michael Grube '28, Rilee McWeeney '29, Casey Olson '29, and Luke Villareal '29.
For their efforts, Invincible was awarded the Sir Thomas Lipton Memorial Trophy for third place in class and also claimed the Destroyers Atlantic Trophy as the top-finishing service academy boat in the race.
Navy's success extended beyond Invincible as Wahoo, skippered by Aden Newman '27, earned the Battle of the Atlantic Trophy as the third-place service academy entry.
Honoring Achievement
Excellence at the Naval Academy is measured by far more than wins and championships, and Navy Sailing's student-athletes continue to distinguish themselves in the classroom and on the water.
Following another outstanding season on the national stage, three Midshipmen earned Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association All-America honors. Nathan Smith '26 was named to the ICSA All-America Open Skipper Team, becoming a three-time All-American and earning Open Skipper honors for the second consecutive season. Henry Allgeier '27 and Fiona Cullen '27 each earned their second consecutive All-America selections as well.
ICSA All-Americans
- Nathan Smith '26 — All-American Open Skipper
- Henry Allgeier '27 — Honorable Mention All-American Open Skipper
- Fiona Cullen '27 — Honorable Mention All-American Crew
Navy Sailing was equally well represented among the Academy's highest academic and leadership honors. Five members of the program were named Graduates with Distinction, an honor reserved for members of the graduating class who finish in the top ten percent of the Overall Order of Merit, which includes academics, military performance, conduct, and physical education standing. Leading the way was Offshore Team Captain Chloe Cowan '26, who graduated fifth in the Class of 2026 and ranked third among varsity athletes at the Naval Academy.
Graduates with Distinction
- Sawyer Barnard '26
- Chloe Cowan '26 (#5 in Class of 2026)
- Margo Cicero '26
- Matthew Irving '26
- Eddie Konjoyan III '26
Navy Sailing's commitment to academic excellence was equally evident across the fleet as eight Midshipmen earned selection to the 2025-26 ICSA All-Academic Sailing Team, an honor recognizing upperclassmen who competed in at least seven regattas while maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher.
ICSA All-Academic Team
- Henry Allgeier '27
- Spencer Dominguez '26
- Mary Dwyer '27
- Fiona Cullen '27
- Josephine Sherry '27
- Nathan Smith '26
- Jack Welburn '27
- Kate Zurinskas '27
These accomplishments reflect the unique mission of Navy Sailing: developing leaders who excel not only as competitors, but also as scholars, teammates, and future officers.
Coach Nancy Haberland on Sailing, Leadership, and Legacy
Offshore Coach Nancy Haberland, who has been part of the Navy Sailing program for more than 30 years, recently sat down with the Navy Letterwinners Association to reflect on her remarkable sailing career and the leadership lessons that make offshore sailing such a powerful training ground for future naval officers.
In the interview, Coach Haberland discusses the unique culture of Navy Sailing, the progression of midshipmen through the offshore program, and the vital role alumni play in sustaining its success. Read the full interview here.
Welcoming the Class of 2030
On June 25, the newest members of the Brigade of Midshipmen arrived in Annapolis to begin their Naval Academy journey during Induction Day, better known simply as "I-Day."
Among the thousands of young men and women reporting that morning were 11 incoming Midshipmen with aspirations of competing for Navy Sailing, each beginning the same journey taken by generations of Navy sailors before them. The newest Navy sailors hail from communities stretching from California to Connecticut and from Florida to the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
I-Day marks the beginning of Plebe Summer, a six-week period designed to transform civilians into Midshipmen through military training, physical challenges, and the introduction to life at the Naval Academy. For Navy's incoming sailors, it also marks the beginning of their development as teammates, competitors, and future officers.
In his remarks to the Class of 2030, Superintendent LtGen Michael Borgschulte '91 challenged the incoming plebes to embrace the Academy's role as a crucible for leadership development and introduced three pillars that will guide their growth over the next four years: a warrior's mindset, team-oriented leadership, and uncompromising character.
Drawing inspiration from Admiral David Farragut's famous command during the Battle of Mobile Bay, LtGen Borgschulte reminded the class that leadership often requires moving directly toward adversity rather than avoiding it.
"There is no way around — only through."
For generations of Navy sailors, the challenges and opportunities found on the water have reinforced that same lesson. We look forward to welcoming these newest members of the Navy Sailing family to the water in the months ahead and watching them begin their own journey of leadership and service.
Navy Sailing Returns to France for International Naval Academy Regatta
This week, a team of Navy Midshipmen is representing the United States Naval Academy in Brest, France, at the International Regatta hosted by the École navale as part of the French Navy's 400th anniversary celebration.
Taking place from June 26 through July 1, the event brings together 21 partner naval academies from around the world for a demanding and formative sailing competition that emphasizes excellence, camaraderie, and mutual respect among future naval officers.
For the Midshipmen, the regatta offers far more than an opportunity to compete on the water. It provides a unique chance to build relationships with future military leaders from allied nations while representing the Naval Academy and the United States abroad.
Representing Navy this year are Connor McKee '26, Maddy Nienow '26, Mitch Krueger '28, Brendan Hawko '28, and Julia Fede '28, who are carrying forward Navy Sailing's tradition of excellence on the international stage.
This extraordinary opportunity was made possible through the support of the Naval Academy Sailing Foundation and a generous private donor whose investment ensures Midshipmen continue to benefit from transformational experiences such as this one.
Spotlight on Alumni
The Navy Sailing tradition extends far beyond Annapolis, and this summer Navy alumni once again distinguished themselves on the national and international stage.
Rob Hallawell '87 Captures ILCA Masters World Championship
Congratulations to Rob Hallawell '87, who recently captured the ILCA 6 Grand Masters World Championship in Athens, Greece, earning his second Masters world title.
Hallawell previously won the ILCA 7 Grand Masters World Championship in Barcelona in 2021, making him a two-time world champion and one of the most accomplished masters sailors in the sport.
Competing against many of the world's top sailors in his age division, Hallawell's latest victory serves as a reminder that sailing is truly a lifelong sport and that the competitive spirit of Navy sailors endures long after graduation.
Team Hedgehog Repeats as J/70 Corinthian World Champion
Congratulations are also in order for Alec Cutler '88 and Team Hedgehog, who successfully defended their title at the 2026 J/70 Corinthian World Championship in Marseille, France.
Competing against 88 teams representing 20 nations, Hedgehog claimed back-to-back world championships by an impressive ten-point margin in one of the premier amateur keelboat events in the world.
Even more impressive was the composition of the crew itself. Joining Cutler aboard Hedgehog were fellow Naval Academy sailing alumni Charles Pucciariello '89, Keith Davids '90, and Brad Rodi '93 — teammates and friends who have been sailing together for decades. Their victory stands as a testament not only to their skill on the water, but also to the lifelong friendships and enduring bonds forged through Navy Sailing.
Congratulations to Rob, Alec, Charles, Keith, Brad, and all of our Navy Sailing alumni who continue to represent the program with distinction around the world.
Registration Opening Soon for FONS Weekend
Registration for the 2026 Friends of Navy Sailing (FONS) Weekend is opening soon for this year's gathering, which will take place September 18-19 at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis.
This annual event brings together alumni, parents, volunteers, sponsors, and friends of the program for a memorable weekend of camaraderie, connection, and Navy Sailing spirit. It is an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, spend time with today's Midshipmen sailors, and experience firsthand the people, programs, and traditions that make Navy Sailing so special.
The weekend will begin with an informal Friday evening social in Annapolis and continue on Saturday with updates from Naval Academy and Naval Academy Athletic Association leadership, on-the-water spectating opportunities as both the intercollegiate and offshore teams compete, and the popular Sail Navy Reception with Midshipmen sailors, coaches, staff, and supporters.
Few opportunities offer this level of access to Midshipmen sailors, coaches, and Academy leadership or the chance to reconnect with the broader Navy Sailing family. Please watch your inbox for registration information and additional details. We hope you will join us in Annapolis this September as we celebrate the past, present, and future of Navy Sailing.
Looking Ahead
Thank you for being part of the Navy Sailing community and for your continued support of our Midshipmen sailors.
The summer sailing season is far from over. In the weeks ahead, the Offshore Sailing team will continue its busy schedule with competitions including the Tower Race in Buzzards Bay, MA, NYYC Race Week in Newport, RI, the Around Long Island Race in NY, and the Governor's Cup Yacht Race in the Chesapeake Bay.
Please feel free to forward Inside Navy Sailing to friends, classmates, teammates, and fellow supporters of the program. If you know someone who would like to receive future issues, please have them contact Mark Converse '82 to be added to our mailing list.
As we celebrate Independence Day this week, we are especially grateful for the young men and women who have chosen a life of service and leadership in defense of our nation.
