M Sailor/Alum, Bora Gulari, selected for 35th America's Cup campaign

Submitted by Ccapilla on

I'll start off by acknowledging that many/most do not even realize Michigan has a competitive sailing team. In fact, this past year's team had a great conference season and put together a good run at the collegiate national championships. But there's also a good bit of history with the team. A new chapter of that history was written earlier when team alum and Aerospace Engineering grad Bora Gulari was selected to the afterguard (on the water management) of the Italian America's Cup syndicate, Luna Rosa Challenge for the 35th America's Cup cycle.

Great job, Bora. that's a long way from Baseline Lake.

He's not the first Michigan grad and team alum to compete for the Cup and he certainly won't be the last, but he is the latest. In 2013 he also become a 2 time World Champion in the Moth Class.

 

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LSAClassOf2000

June 12th, 2014 at 3:51 PM ^

For anyone who has not been to the Sailing Club (8010 Strawberry Lake Road in Dexter), it is a very nice facility with open sailing, BBQ and swimming areas and basically enough to make a day of it during their open hours. It's been a couple years so I don't know if they still do this, but they also have regular lectures and demonstrations on various aspects of sailing as well, if you're interested in learning about the sport - I don't have a boat myself, but I have been to the lectures.

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130691

Ccapilla

June 12th, 2014 at 4:12 PM ^

The club is a very nice facility and it is relatively easy to get to if you have a car (or a friend with a car). The club members are great and you can have some fantastic experiences there. The best part is you don't even need to be a student or an alum to join the club.

The club: http://www.umich.edu/~umsc/

You do, however, have to be a curent student to join the team.

The team: http://sailing.studentorgs.umich.edu/

Joined: 02/11/2012

MGoPoints: 1121

stephenrjking

June 12th, 2014 at 4:02 PM ^

Sailing is a fabulous recreational sport and I have been surprised by how much I have taken to it in the last couple of years. There's an affordable (flat fee, get a year's membership with use of most of the boats) club here in Duluth that is chaired by a Michigan grad. It is a great way to spend an afternoon.

Good to hear that Michigan will be represented in the AC, even if it doesn't actually happen for a few years. Few noticed, but last year's AC final was an astonishing competition and saw the greatest comeback (by number of matches) in the history of sports when Oracle USA ambushed New Zealand after NZ built a seemingly insurmountable lead. I believe they had to win seven in a row to win.

And the sailing itself, on foiling wing-sailed catamarans, is astonishing to watch. 

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20144031

Leatherstocking Blue

June 12th, 2014 at 4:07 PM ^

Also UM grad Scott Ferguson designed the wing (sail) for Oracle Team USA in the most recent America's Cup. The technology in that event took a quantum leap forward and UM grads were at the heart of it. 

And Jodi Swanson, a UM sailor from the mid '80s, has gone on to be a two-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year, the most prestigious recognition in US sailing.

Joined: 07/11/2013

MGoPoints: 2718

double blue

June 12th, 2014 at 10:31 PM ^

Michigan had the first four time all American sailor in Doug Wefer. Class of 83. He was also a. 6 time world champion penguin sailor.

Dave askew, Tim askew , Dave lattie , Lyndon lattie competed in the Canada's cup on bill Martin 'a boat Stars and Stripes.

Dave askew is currently competing on the world circuit.

Joined: 09/03/2009

MGoPoints: 4332

MGoGrendel

June 12th, 2014 at 8:34 PM ^

The paper this morning had an article that basically said: "don't let the door hit you on the way out" regarding America's Cup decision not to hold the race in the Bay. San Diego and Chicago would like to host the race. The Race Bylaws state that the race has to be in the ocean, or a "finger off the ocean". The Saint Lawrence Seaway qualifies as a "finger" - even though its 2,400 miles to Chicago. I took my son to San Diego in 1994 and caught a few of the races. That was the first year of the Women's team. I woke up at 3 to see the Australia races, but haven't gotten into the America's cup much because of all the twists to the bylaws and court orders that have taken the traditional boats out of the race.

Joined: 01/21/2013

MGoPoints: 70421