Navy Offshore Sailing Continues Strong Summer with Runner-Up Finish Around Long Island
The Navy offshore sailing team continued its impressive 2026 summer campaign by posting another standout result, as Poseidon finished second in its division and sixth overall among a 44-boat fleet at the 49th Annual Around Long Island Race. Senior skipper Nico Martinez guided the Midshipmen through the demanding 207-nautical-mile offshore event, showcasing the tactical sailing and endurance that have become trademarks of Navy’s program.
Hosted by the Sea Cliff Yacht Club, the Around Long Island Race is one of the Northeast’s premier offshore sailing competitions. Beginning in New York Harbor and finishing in Hempstead Harbor, the course tests crews with changing tides, shifting winds, ocean swells, and constantly evolving tactical decisions.
Navy’s race began with light winds and an incoming tide, forcing Martinez and his crew to hug the shoreline near Governors Island and Brooklyn to minimize the effects of the current before clearing The Narrows and sailing beneath the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Once offshore along Long Island’s south shore, Poseidon focused on maintaining boat speed through multiple sail changes as conditions evolved.
One of the race’s defining moments came when the sea breeze began to disappear midway down Long Island. Rather than remain offshore with much of the fleet, Martinez elected to keep Poseidon close to shore in search of stronger wind. The bold tactical move paid off as Navy surged to the front of the fleet while several competitors struggled in lighter air.
The Midshipmen continued to capitalize by making a fast spinnaker run from Montauk Point through Plum Gut, where favorable current helped extend their advantage entering Long Island Sound. During the second overnight portion of the race, the crew focused on finding every available breeze before an early morning northeasterly carried Poseidon toward the finish.
Although Navy closed to within just one-tenth of a nautical mile of the eventual divisional winner, Zammermoos, during the final night, the leading boat found a stronger breeze and held on for the victory. Poseidon’s second-place divisional finish and sixth-place overall showing nevertheless marked another outstanding performance against an experienced offshore fleet.
The result continues what has been an exceptional season for Navy offshore sailing. Earlier this month, Martinez and Poseidon captured the Salty 100 while also finishing runner-up in the companion Tower Race. The program also celebrated a victory in the Annapolis-to-Bermuda Race this summer aboard Tenacious, demonstrating Navy’s strength across multiple offshore disciplines.
For Maryland sports fans, Navy’s continued success reinforces the Naval Academy’s reputation as one of the nation’s premier collegiate offshore sailing programs. The Midshipmen consistently compete against experienced amateur and professional crews while preparing future naval officers in the demanding environment of offshore racing.
MSB Take
Another weekend, another impressive finish for Navy Offshore Sailing. Offshore racing rewards preparation, teamwork, and split-second decision-making, and Poseidon’s tactical choices throughout the Around Long Island Race proved the Midshipmen can compete with anyone on the water. With Martinez leading the charge, Navy continues to establish itself as one of the country’s elite collegiate offshore sailing programs, and the momentum heading toward the remainder of the season is unmistakable.
