Ocean State Today

How’s this for a start to a University of Rhode Island head coaching stint? You take over at the beginning of the fall semester, and then in October, your team wins the McMillan Cup, awarded to the first-place finisher at the oldest collegiate sailing regatta.

Not only that. Your team wins the cup for the first time in 52 years over powerhouses like the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (second) and the U.S. Naval Academy (third).

“I was at the Naval Academy for a little more than two years as an assistant coach,” said new Rhody sailing head coach Matthew Peter. “There was nothing wrong with that job, but I am from Cape Cod and wanted to get back to family and friends. The McMillan Cup victory was a testament to the people who get the history and culture of our program.”

At the McMillen Cup, Rhody was credited with sailing a smart and consistent regatta, starting each race cleanly to post scores of 2, 1, 1 and 2. In sailing, a lower score is better, so a first-place finish earns a crew one point and a second-place finish two points. So, Rhody’s first-place total of six points, bested the Merchant Marine Academy’s eight points and Navy’s 15.

Original source can be found here.