Navy Offshore Sailing Wins Third Straight McMillan Cup, Sweeps Top Two Spots on Chesapeake Bay
By Brian Hradsky
October 20, 2026
The Navy Midshipmen offshore sailing team continued its impressive run of success over the weekend, capturing its third consecutive McMillan Cup championship while sweeping the top two positions in the prestigious regatta held October 17-18 on the Chesapeake Bay near Annapolis. Senior skipper Aden Newman led Navy’s championship-winning entry, while Margret Bush guided the Midshipmen’s second crew to a runner-up finish against teams from eight other colleges. The competition featured challenging wind conditions that delayed Saturday’s racing and forced organizers to impose sail restrictions during Sunday’s opening race. Navy also competed in the J/105 Chesapeake Bay Championship, recording 10th- and 11th-place finishes in an 18-boat field.
Navy Captures Third Consecutive McMillan Cup Championship
The McMillan Cup represents one of the most historic events in collegiate sailing and serves as the big-boat championship for schools in the New England and Mid-Atlantic districts. Navy entered the weekend seeking its third consecutive title after winning the event in both 2024 and 2025. The Midshipmen faced competition from eight other schools, including the College of Charleston and the United States Coast Guard Academy. With two Navy entries in the field, the program had an opportunity to demonstrate its depth while defending its championship on familiar waters.
Saturday’s racing presented immediate challenges as gale warnings forced organizers to keep competitors ashore until early afternoon. Strong winds made conditions unsafe for racing during the morning, requiring teams to remain patient while waiting for an opportunity to compete. Once conditions improved sufficiently, the fleet took to the Chesapeake Bay for the opening races. The shortened racing window increased the importance of every result as teams attempted to establish their positions heading into Sunday’s competition.
Newman’s Navy 1 crew delivered a competitive opening performance and finished Saturday behind the College of Charleston while tied with Coast Guard. The result placed Navy within striking distance of the championship despite the difficult weather and shortened schedule. Bush’s Navy 2 crew also remained competitive, finishing the opening day in fifth place. Both Midshipmen teams entered Sunday with opportunities to improve their positions and challenge for the overall title.
Sunday Comeback Gives Navy First and Second Place
The final day of competition began with cool temperatures and continued strong winds, creating another demanding environment for the sailors. Race officials imposed sail restrictions during Sunday’s opening race because of the challenging conditions. As the weather gradually improved, competitors were permitted to use their full sail selections and spinnakers during the remaining three races. The changing conditions created opportunities for crews that could adjust their strategies and maintain efficient boat handling.
Navy took full advantage of the improving conditions, with both Midshipmen crews delivering strong performances throughout the final three races. Newman guided Navy 1 into the overall lead, overcoming the College of Charleston and Coast Guard teams that had challenged for the championship Saturday. Bush also directed an impressive comeback as Navy 2 climbed from fifth place into second. The Midshipmen ultimately secured the top two overall positions, completing a dominant finish to the regatta.
The result demonstrated Navy’s ability to perform under pressure and adapt to changing conditions on the water. Rather than allowing Saturday’s difficult racing environment to dictate the outcome, both crews maintained their focus and improved during the decisive portion of the competition. Their success in the final three races reflected strong teamwork, effective communication and sound tactical decisions. The championship also extended Navy’s McMillan Cup winning streak to three consecutive years.
Newman Leads Championship-Winning Crew
Newman served as skipper of Navy 1 and provided the leadership necessary to guide the Midshipmen through the challenging two-day competition. The senior had already contributed to several important offshore sailing results earlier in the fall season, including a podium finish aboard TENACIOUS during September’s Race to Oxford. His experience navigating the Chesapeake Bay and competing against strong collegiate crews provided an important foundation for Navy’s championship performance. Newman’s ability to help his team respond to Sunday’s changing conditions proved especially valuable.
Junior Lawton Harper handled the helm for Navy 1, bringing additional experience from the program’s offshore racing schedule. Harper previously skippered DEFIANCE to victory in September’s Hammond Memorial Race, demonstrating his ability to make effective decisions during challenging racing situations. His contribution alongside Newman provided Navy with experienced leadership in important positions. The combination helped the Midshipmen maintain competitive speed and positioning as the final races unfolded.
Navy’s championship crew also included juniors Dathyn Paxton and Nolan Stanfield, seniors Frank Bradshaw, Lauren Aaby, Brent Anderson and Mike Fernandez, and sophomore Sofia Parker. The nine-member group combined experienced upperclassmen with developing talent, giving Navy a balanced lineup capable of handling the demands of big-boat racing. Offshore competition requires precise coordination between sailors responsible for different aspects of the vessel, making teamwork essential to success. Navy’s performance demonstrated the effectiveness of its crew preparation and execution.
Bush Guides Navy’s Second Crew to Runner-Up Finish
While Newman’s team captured the championship, Bush delivered another impressive result by leading Navy 2 to second place overall. The crew entered Sunday’s racing in fifth position after encountering the same difficult conditions that affected the rest of the fleet. Bush and her teammates responded with a strong final-day performance, steadily improving their standing as the wind conditions changed. Their climb into second place completed Navy’s sweep of the top two positions.
The runner-up finish carried additional significance because it demonstrated the program’s ability to field two competitive offshore crews simultaneously. Navy did not rely on a single entry to challenge for the championship, instead placing both boats ahead of every opposing school. That depth reflects the experience and preparation taking place throughout the offshore sailing program. The result also provides valuable competitive experience for sailors who will be expected to assume larger responsibilities in future regattas.
Navy’s first- and second-place finishes represented an especially strong result against a field featuring other established collegiate sailing programs. The College of Charleston and Coast Guard had both positioned themselves near the front after Saturday’s racing, creating significant competition for the Midshipmen. Navy’s ability to move both crews ahead during Sunday’s final races demonstrated its adaptability and competitive depth. The outcome provided another important achievement for the program during its fall schedule.
Navy Also Competes at J/105 Chesapeake Bay Championship
In addition to hosting and competing in the McMillan Cup, Navy entered two boats in the J/105 Chesapeake Bay Championship held during the same weekend. The event featured 18 boats and provided the Midshipmen with another opportunity to compete against experienced sailing crews. Navy’s CONSTELLATION finished 10th overall, while AVENGER followed in 11th place. The results added valuable racing experience to an already demanding weekend for the offshore sailing program.
The J/105 competition presented a different challenge from the McMillan Cup because Navy faced a larger fleet of boats competing in the same class. Success in this type of racing depends on consistent starts, efficient sail handling, tactical positioning and the ability to respond quickly to changing wind conditions. The Midshipmen finished in the middle portion of the fleet, gaining experience against strong regional competition. Those lessons should prove useful as Navy continues preparing for upcoming offshore events.
Competing in both regattas also demonstrated the size and versatility of Navy’s offshore sailing program. While two crews challenged for the McMillan Cup championship, additional sailors represented the Academy in the J/105 event. The ability to participate in multiple major competitions during the same weekend creates opportunities for more Midshipmen to gain experience. Navy will look to translate that experience into stronger results during the remaining fall events.
Championship Continues Navy’s Strong Fall Season
The McMillan Cup victory followed several competitive performances by Navy throughout September and October. Three weeks earlier, the Midshipmen finished fifth at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta in Chicago. Navy then placed fourth at the Storm Trysail Club Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta in Larchmont, New York, with Mitchell Krueger serving as skipper. Those results provided valuable experience against strong collegiate offshore programs before the Midshipmen returned home for their championship defense.
Navy also demonstrated its strength on the Chesapeake Bay during September’s Race to Oxford and Hammond Memorial Race. The Midshipmen placed multiple boats near the front of the Race to Oxford field, including second- and third-place finishes from GALLANT and TENACIOUS. Harper then led DEFIANCE to an overall victory in the Hammond Memorial Race after overcoming a substantial early deficit. Those performances helped establish momentum that carried into the McMillan Cup.
The latest championship further reinforced Navy’s position among the leading collegiate offshore sailing programs. Winning three consecutive editions of a historic regatta requires consistent preparation, strong leadership and the ability to develop competitive crews from year to year. Navy demonstrated all three qualities by securing another championship while also placing its second entry immediately behind the winner. The program will look to maintain that level of performance as the fall season continues.
Navy Prepares for Another Busy Weekend in Annapolis
The Midshipmen will remain in Annapolis for their next competitions, scheduled for October 24-25. Navy will participate in the Colgate Small Keelboat Invitational and the Eastport Yacht Club Fall Brawl and J/105 Invitational. Both events will provide additional opportunities for the program to compete on familiar Chesapeake Bay waters. The schedule also allows Navy to continue developing its sailors across different classes of boats and racing formats.
The upcoming competitions will present another test of Navy’s ability to maintain consistency following a major championship victory. The Midshipmen will need to remain focused on preparation and execution rather than allowing their recent success to create complacency. Racing conditions on the Chesapeake Bay can change rapidly during the fall, requiring sailors to remain adaptable and disciplined. Navy’s experience during the McMillan Cup should provide valuable lessons for handling similar challenges.
The program enters the final portion of October with considerable momentum after its third consecutive McMillan Cup championship. Navy’s depth was particularly encouraging because both entries finished ahead of the rest of the field. Continued improvement from the crews competing in the J/105 class could make the remaining schedule even more productive. The Midshipmen will attempt to build on their championship success while preparing for the final events of the fall season.
MSB Take
Navy’s third consecutive McMillan Cup championship was an outstanding achievement for a program that continues demonstrating its strength in collegiate offshore sailing. The Midshipmen faced difficult weather conditions, a delayed opening day and strong competition from the College of Charleston and Coast Guard. Rather than allowing those obstacles to disrupt their performance, both Navy crews improved during Sunday’s decisive races and secured the top two overall positions. The result demonstrated the preparation, discipline and teamwork necessary to succeed in one of college sailing’s most historic events.
Newman and Harper deserve considerable recognition for their leadership aboard Navy 1, particularly during the challenging final day of competition. The championship-winning crew successfully adapted to changing sail restrictions and improving conditions while overcoming the teams that had led Saturday’s standings. Bush also delivered an impressive performance by guiding Navy 2 from fifth place into second, giving the Midshipmen a complete sweep of the top two positions. Having two competitive crews capable of challenging for the same championship is a significant advantage for Navy.
The results from the J/105 Chesapeake Bay Championship also provide an opportunity for continued improvement as the program prepares for its remaining fall competitions. Although CONSTELLATION and AVENGER finished 10th and 11th, the experience gained against a competitive 18-boat fleet should help those crews develop their skills. Navy has demonstrated that it can compete successfully in several different offshore racing formats while developing experienced leaders and younger sailors. If the Midshipmen maintain their current level of preparation and teamwork, the program should remain a major contender in collegiate offshore sailing.
