Sailors Battle Cadets In N.E. Championship

Crimson sailors will be looking for their third straight New England team racing championship this weekend. As in last year's race, they will be defending their title--and the Leonard M. Fowle trophy--against Coast Guard Cadets. Un like last year, the Cadets are favored.

Before meeting the Coast Guard, the Crimson must dispose of a week B.U. squad at M.I.T. today. Then, once the Cadets have defeated the University of Rhode Island, Harvard and the Academy will race for the trophy Sunday.

Harvard has not copped a single first place in a major regatta this year, in contrast to a 5-0 record at this time last season. Even less encouraging, the cadets bettered the Crimson in every race in which the two have competed this year.

Crimson Confident

Nevertheless, Harvard sallors are confident they can retain their title. Their losses to the Academy have been painfully close--once by a point, another time by four points.

Last weekend, the pattern was was repeated at the Schell Trophy Regatta, as Harvard's two fouls represented their margin of defeat.

Harvard is Deep

But the Coast Guard's tendency toward narrow victories should be offset by Harvard's depth, which is of great importance in team racing. Dave Stookey, Tim Prince, Dave Gants, and Wilson Halley-each with at least two years of intercollegiate racing experience--will be skippering for Harvard.

John Hagenbuckle, Guy Garden, Steve Bello, and Herb Motley will crew for the Crimson.

In the semi-finals Oct. 20 at M.I.T., Harvard eliminated a strong Dartmouth squad, but took second place behind the Coast Guard.