SRU Sailing Head Coach John Ingalls. (Photo by Andrea Hansen)
NEWPORT, R.I. – Since 2007, when they first broke into the top 20 of national programs, Salve Regina University’s sailing team has been on a roll. In a recent poll conducted by Sailing World Magazine, the team was on the cusp of entering the top 10.
We spoke with Head Coach John Ingalls about Salve’s rise, the advantages to training collegiate sailors on Newport’s famed sailing grounds, and where he falls in the Newport vs. Annapollis debate.
Photos come courtesy of Andrea Hansen, of Hansen Photography.
NN: Salve is currently ranked just outside of the Top 10 in the country, according to Sailing World rankings. To what do you attribute this year’s team’s early success?
JI: I attribute the team’s success to an awful lot of hard work; a lot of work over the past several years; a lot of work by the individual sailors, as well as a commitment by the University to support a sailing team that can compete with the best in the country.
JI: I do have other commitments in my life, but I love sailing and I love coaching. It is especially gratifying when you feel like you’re making progress, and we are! We have improved our standing and rank every season both Fall and Spring, for the past 5 years. That in itself makes it worth coming back.
JI: In short, a commitment by the University to support the program, and a commitment by the sailors to improve; a commitment not by only our best sailors, but by everyone. As a “group” we are pushing ourselves to improve. We won’t make it as individuals. Our best chance for success is with a strong team. Additionally,(thanks to the University) we raised money to purchase a new fleet of twenty 420′s, hosted regattas every weekend, hosted the national championship, and practiced, practiced, practiced. Just being out there day after day has made a huge difference.
grounds. How does sailing out of such a venue influence the program?
JI: There IS a lot of history here in Newport. You can’t help but see it everyday, from the 12-meters to the J-boats, but also we see current “big-time” racing from the Laser class olympic trials to weekly Shields, J-24, and V-15 racing, as well as practice sessions by the Puma Volvo Ocean Race syndicate. Being in Newport, you can’t help but notice and be swept up by the high level and quality of racing. It’s all around you, it’s infectious, and it flames the fires for excellence.
JI: Many of our sailors arrive with little or no sailing experience, and that’s just fine. We have an eye for spotting talent and with our instruction and practice regimen, we turn them into competitive college sailors. For the few who do show up with some good experience, we’re just that much ahead of the game.
JI: I’ve done a lot of sailing at both venues. They’re both great cities and both boast some pretty awesome sailing venues. I met my wife, Ellie Field, sailing against her in Annapolis, but I’m a “Newporter” (and so is Ellie) and to me, as far as sailing goes, there is no place on earth quite as nice as Newport, and there is no other college sailing venue as nice as Salve Regina’s.
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Newport, RI
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Go, Salve! This sailing team has made incredible strides over the last few years and there’s no doubt that John has played a big role in that.
Keep up the great work guys, you’re definitely making Newport proud.
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