UCI sailing program back on track

uci-sailingstoryThe Anteaters won their first national title in sailing last month, thanks in part to their coach, a former All-American sailor.Since opening in 1965, UC Irvine has had a successful sailing program, winning eight Intercollegiate Yacht Racing Assn. titles.

But before this season, the Anteaters hadn’t won a national title since the 1992-93 season, when they captured the single-handed crown.

Changing that history was the goal of Mike Pinckney when he was hired three years ago. Pinckney, a four-time All-American sailor and former coach at the College of Charleston, paid dividends immediately.

In his first year at UC Irvine, he led the women’s team to the nationals. Last month, he helped UC Irvine capture its ninth national title and first in 13 years.

The UC Irvine coed sailing team bested nine other squads to capture the Intercollegiate Sailing Assn. Sloop Championship at the Gull Lake Yacht Club in Richland, Mich.