Nichols sailing wins our first local regatta of the season. The breeze was a moderate 5-8 knots out of the North-Northeast, and the wind persistently shifted right all evening. In a persistent shift the game is to ride the early header and sail the long tack second, and the Nichols sailors showed excellent discipline working right early off of the starting line and taking advantage of the significant velocity and direction changes that could be found closer to shore. The sailors also quickly picked up the need to gybe early after the windward mark to take advantage of the shifts. Seniors Ethan Stoffman ‘20 and Sam Thompson ‘20 won the event and two other Nichols boats, Sam Jensen ‘20 with Michael Matuch ‘20 and Junqi Wu ‘20 with Andrew Fors ‘22, finished the day in a three-way tie for third place. This was a great way to start our season, and our inconsistency on the starting line and during tacks and gybes gives us lots to focus on in practice this season.