MAISA/SAISA Another Step In Process For Hampton U. Sailing

HAMPTON, Va. – Hampton University head sailing coach Alessandro Ambrosi, in his second year, understands that building and developing a program takes time. Short-term results are nice, but his goals require a more long-term investment.

“It’s been my goal from day one to develop the program,” Ambrosi, a native of Trento, Italy, said. “And in order to develop the program, we have to be willing to take the next step.”

That next step is this weekend, when the Pirates host the annual Middle Atlantic InterCollegiate Sailing Association and the South Atlantic InterCollegiate Sailing Association (MAISA/SAISA) Intersectional regatta on Saturday and Sunday at Strawberry Banks. The regatta will feature some of the nation’s best teams – last year’s regatta featured nationally-ranked programs such as Old Dominion, South Florida, Charleston and the U.S. Naval Academy.

This will mark the third straight year in which Hampton has hosted the event, a qualifier of sorts – in which the top two teams advance to the Admirals’ Cup.

The top eight teams advance to regionals, which then feed to the national regatta.

“Strawberry Banks is ideal, I think, for regattas,” Ambrosi said. “It’s a very good venue with a beautiful waterfront. It’s really the best spot we can ask for.”

In showcasing that spot again, Ambrosi hopes to make Hampton a destination for future regattas on every level. The Pirates have two home regattas on the schedule this year – this weekend’s MAISA/SAISA and the Edward Teach Memorial back on Sept. 18-19.

HU Pirates Remaining Competitive Sailing Schedule

3/26/2011 MAISA/SAISA Intersectional Hampton, Va. All Day
3/27/2011 MAISA/SAISA Intersectional Hampton, Va. All Day
4/2/2011 South Spring Qualifier Williamsburg, Va. All Day
4/3/2011 South Spring Qualifier Williamsburg, Va. All Day
4/9/2011 William & Mary 2-on-2 Team Race Williamsburg, Va. All Day
4/9/2011 Ocean County 2-on-2 Team Race TBA All Day
4/10/2011 Ocean County 2-on-2 Team Race TBA All Day
4/10/2011 William & Mary 2-on-2 Team Race Williamsburg, Va. All Day
4/16/2011 America Trophy St. Mary's City, Md. All Day
4/16/2011 Leroy Grant Regatta TBA All Day
4/17/2011 Leroy Grant Regatta TBA All Day
4/17/2011 America Trophy St. Mary's City, Md. All Day
4/23/2011 Army Spring Open West Point, N.Y. All Day
4/24/2011 Army Spring Open West Point, N.Y. All Day
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Hampton Coach Alessandro Ambrosi

Ambrosi expressed the desire to eventually host the America Trophy or the South Spring Qualifier … with the ultimate goal being the host of the first round of nationals in 2015.

St. Mary’s (Md.) and King’s Point (N.Y.) are currently in consideration as sites in 2015, but Ambrosi has submitted Hampton as a candidate to host. His experience hosting the MAISA/SAISA intersectional – along with expected future experience hosting other regattas – has Ambrosi confident his program would be able to handle the exposure.

Hampton has never been the host of a national collegiate competition – a reality Ambrosi is determined to change.

“Nationals are the biggest event we have in sailing,” he said, referring, in part, to the fact that ESPN broadcasts the national regatta. “Between now and (2015), we have to show that we can handle an event like that.”

In order to do that, Ambrosi said, Strawberry Banks would need a new pier capable of housing 36 boats. He has proposed co-hosting the event with Old Dominion, a nationally-renowned sailing program, where ODU would supply 18 boats (half the necessary fleet).

Sponsorship would also be key.

“Naturally, this is going to take money,” he said. “But I believe, in the long run, it would be worth it, not only for the benefit of the sailing program, but for the university. We would both benefit from this.”

Ambrosi has also benefitted from the success he’s already enjoyed; in his first two years at Hampton, the Pirates have won five regattas. Ambrosi said that has attracted the attention of students interested in coming to the school – students from all over the world.

“I have international students calling me and asking how they can come to Hampton,” he said. “I’m not finding them, they’re coming to me.”

Recruiting for sailing is different than for other sports, Ambrosi said, because he doesn’t have athletic scholarships to offer. Students who sail can receive other scholarships and financial assistance, but they aren’t offered scholarships to sail.

“Success is a great recruiting tool,” Ambrosi said, “but so are things like hosting big regattas. This weekend, we host MAISA/SAISA. I hope, over the coming years, we host more and more, all the way up to nationals in 2015.

“I think that would benefit everybody.”

Courtesy Hampton University Sports Information