Webbies Triumph at Block Island and Newport-Bermuda Race

December 18, 2024

 

Webbies Zachary Doerr ’24 and John Feleciano ’25 have solidified their status as exceptional sailors with back-to-back victories in prestigious races, sailing NEKA Sailing’s Groupe 5.

In May, the duo braved the high seas and emerged victorious in the ORC Double-Handed Division at the 2024 Block Island Race. They skillfully navigated 186 nautical miles of light, shifty winds, overcoming strategic challenges and numerous lead changes to secure a welldeserved win at 4 AM.

Continuing their winning streak, Doerr and Feleciano recently achieved a historic victory in the Newport Bermuda Race, securing first place in their class and an impressive second in the Double-Handed Division. They crossed the finish line, completing the grueling 636-mile racecourse at Saint David’s Lighthouse after 3 days, 13 hours, 33 minutes, and 8 seconds.

Despite being the youngest crew in the entire race, the pair demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, missing the top spot by a mere four minutes. Reflecting on the experience, they described it as “the hardest thing we’ve ever done.”

“I think John and I did a good job of identifying the tactical factors that affected this race (the Newport Bermuda Race) and generally made good decisions. The race had a lot of short steep chop, which made it very psychologically challenging to continue pushing forward. In the end though, it was a huge sense of accomplishment to have finished so well, especially when sailing with a peer and not a coach or more experienced sailor,” said Zach Doerr.
“Seeing the lights of Bermuda breaking through the rain squalls on the final night was unforgettable. We saw conditions ranging from 0 to 30 knots, navigating lightning storms, torrential rains, the Gulf Stream, and a rough sea state the entire way. We were very happy with our result – showing that the hard work and months of preparation had paid off. We couldn’t have done it without the support of NEKA Sailing. We’re also thankful for the support of our families and the Webb community, motivating us to keep pushing through tough conditions,” stated John Feleciano.

 

Their success follows one of the missions of NEKA, or the North East Keelboat Alliance: to promote shorthanded offshore sailing to college students who without the program would not have access to this sport. NEKA provides opportunities to Webb students and other college students alike, giving a framework to learn the skills required to succeed at offshore sailing.

Offshore sailing is highly technical, requiring not just sailing skills, but also electrical, computer, engine, and structural knowledge. In addition, the sport promotes leadership, organization, and teamwork, helping to form well-rounded individuals. The Webb community is immensely proud of John’s and Zach’s remarkable achievements. Their consecutive wins are a testament to their dedication and talent, and to the spirit of Webb Institute. Congratulations to these outstanding sailors!