Webb Institute Celebrates Historic First National Championship | Daniel Escudero ’25 Clinches College Singlehanded Sailing Title

November 15, 2024

Webb Institute is proud to announce a historic first in our school’s history. Daniel Escudero ’25 has secured the national title at the 2024 ICSA Open Singlehanded National Championships, earning Webb its first-ever national championship. Competing against elite sailors from universities with legacy sailing programs, including Harvard, Yale, and Brown, Daniel emerged as the men’s champion, securing the Glen S. Foster Trophy on November 10 in St. Petersburg, FL.

Daniel Escudero ’25 wins the Glen S. Foster Trophy – pictured with fellow sailors and competitors, Guthrie Braun ’26 (Brown) and Mathias Reimer ’27 (Yale).

The two-day competition hosted the top 18 sailors out of the 103 in the nation that raced in qualifying stages. Beginning with light, shifty winds on day one on Tampa Bay, the conditions tested each competitor’s adaptability and skill, as they navigated through eight races. Despite the challenging environment, Daniel ended the first day in second place, closely trailing Brown University’s Martins Atilla by only seven points.

On day two, as the breeze and sea state picked up, Daniel surged to the top of the leaderboard, using a strong third-place finish early in the day to gain momentum. With three races left in the series, he extended his lead and ultimately clinched the championship title.

Webb Institute President Mark Martecchini expressed great pride in Daniel’s accomplishment, noting,

This is a monumental moment for Webb. Daniel’s win represents not only his exceptional dedication and resilience but also Webb’s commitment to supporting our students in both academic and extracurricular pursuits. We couldn’t be prouder of his achievement; it’s an inspiration for our entire community.

Daniel, who balances a rigorous course load in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, has demonstrated remarkable tenacity both in the classroom and on the water.

Reflecting on his achievement, Daniel shared,

Winning this championship is a dream come true. A win like this doesn’t come often for Webb, and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my school. Competing successfully against such talented sailors required a lot of dedication and support from those close to me, and I’m very proud to bring this victory home to Webb.

The 2024 College Sailing Open and Women’s Singlehanded National Championships saw Sophia Montgomery ’25 of Harvard University win the Women’s title, with competitors in both fleets facing a mix of variable and demanding conditions. Daniel’s triumph also follows his earlier success this year when he captured the ILCA 7 North American Championship, highlighting his standing as one of the most skilled sailors in the collegiate circuit.

Glen S. Foster Trophy – Men’s Championship Final Standings:

  1. Daniel Escudero ’25, Webb Institute
  2. Guthrie Braun ’26, Brown University
  3. Mathias Reimer ’27, Yale University

Photo Credit: Lexi Pline / College Sailing