College Sailing Briefs - Bobby Martin, Boston University
The Boston University Dinghy Sailors are a club sailing team who compete, with great results, against some tough and well funded varsity programs. Currently ranked 18th nationally, the Terriers are poised for another successful season and could be pulling some major upsets against some of the sailing powerhouses. The team, which has been around since 1937,is arguably the most successful team at the University, compiling a total of 7 national championships over the last 20 years and producing more All Americans than any other Sport.
Bobby Martin, a senior on the team, has played an important role in BU's success during his time there. Among his highlights are winning the Rhode Island State Championships last year. Bobby continued his training and competing even after the college season ended, and was named as one of the first 4 Lightning Boat Grant recipients during the 2007 summer. During the summer Bobby became well known throughout the Lightning Class as he tallied up a victory at the Central Atlantic District Championships and a 4th place in the Presidents Fleet at the 2007 North American Championships. We have no doubt that Bobby's success last summer has played an inspirational role for one of the 2008 (just announced) recipient teams and fellow BU Terriers, Dan Perkins, Tripp Cashel, and Ben Greenfield. We were fortunate to catch up with Bobby during his busy senior year and ask him a few questions about his sailing past.
SailingSmarter: Where did you grow up?
Bobby: Riverton, NJ on the Delaware River
SailingSmarter: What was your first sailing experience?
Bobby: Sailing Lasers with my Dad on the weekends
SailingSmarter: Who taught you to sail?
Bobby: My Dad, Dan Curran, Cappy Pin, and Ryan Lippincott
SailingSmarter: What has led to your success as a college sailor?
Bobby: Working hard and having a top tier crew
SailingSmarter: What is your ideal teammate like?
Bobby: An ideal teammate is working hard and pushing their teammates at every practice. They are never too stubborn to take advice or to selfish to share their sailing knowledge with their teammates.
SailingSmarter: What are the best and worst things about college sailing?
Bobby: The best part is the super tight racing every weekend and the camaraderie between the competitors. My least favorite aspect of college sailing is sailing slow boats.
SailingSmarter: What is your favorite sailing experience?
Bobby: Sailing Radials at the Buffalo Canoe Club in 25-35 with 5-7 foot waves
SailingSmarter: What are your predictions for your team this year?
Bobby: We are going to surprise a lot of people this spring. Our goals are to sail to our potential, have fun and the rest should take care of itself.
SailingSmarter: What two tips would you give to the sailing community to help them finish closer to the front?
Bobby: I am not big on sailing tips but two quotes have always made sense to me:
“Imitate, Imitate, Innovate.” – Ken Legler
“Get on the tack that points closest to the next mark and make the son of bitch run for its life.” – Joe Duplin
SailingSmarter: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Bobby: I hopefully will have a job that gives me enough free time to keep sailing competitively.
SailingSmarter: What do you like to do when your not sailing?
Bobby: Relaxing with my friends, snowboarding and hopefully making it to the gym a little
For more information about the Boston University Dinghy Sailors, visit http://www.busailing.com/
Boston University Dinghy Sailors
Members: 35
Coach: Brad Churchill
Sailing Waters: Charles River, Boston, MA
Fleet: includes 18 FJ's