On Wednesday March 3, 2010, the University of New Hampshire Sailing Centre burned to the ground. There were no injuries, but over 55 boats, motors, tools, etc. were totally lost to the tune of over $500,000. The Sailing Centre is home to the UNH Sailing Team (currently ranked 16th in NEISA), a combined Junior/Senior High School Sailing Team, and the UNH Community Sailing Centre, a summer program, which serves youth ages 6 to adulthood and a junior racing team as well. The fire is still under investigation, but suffice it to say that the Sailing Centre has no electricity nor were there any other acts of nature at that time. The team is a club team and as such raises almost every penny for boats, equipment, regatta travel, coach’s salaries and so forth. The sailors maintain all the boats, build the docks and essentially develop an ongoing deep sense of pride, commitment and leadership by being members of the UNH Sailing Team. We are extremely saddened by our loss but are grateful for the many emails, phone calls and offers of support. This team will not be shut down. We will rebuild the centre, acquire boats and become stronger through adversity. Hopefully through the support of the greater community of sailing that process will happen sooner than later. We open our spring season this weekend at the Thames River Team Race. -- Team website: By Diana Weidenbacker, Head Coach, UNH Sailing Team
http://www.unh.edu/sailing-club/
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