College Sailing Briefs - Kelley Millane, University of Pennsylvania

Posted by ben on February 13, 2008 - 3:48pm in

Kelley Millane is the captain of the University of Pennsylvania Sailing Team. She leads a club team that competes against some of the best varsity college sailing teams in the country. Penn ended last season ranked 15th nationally, and they are currently ranked 5th in MAISA, the Mid-Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association. SailingSmarter recently caught up with Kelley and asked a few questions about her and the Penn team.

SailingSmarter: Where did you grow up?
Kelley:Connecticut, we raced on the Long Island Sound for the Cal Harbor Team.

SailingSmarter: What was your first sailing experience?
Kelley:J-22 weekly races at the club as a youngster and numerous local races.

SailingSmarter: Who taught you to sail?
Kelley: At the begining instructors from my club, but I also had great experiences with Roy Williams at St. Georges Boarding School.

SailingSmarter: What has led to your success as a college sailor?
Kelley: Persistence. I started at Tulane but with the unfortunate events of Hurricane Katrina, transferred to Connecticut College then transfered again to University of Pennsylvania, which has been a nice fit. We manage the team ourself, which has also been a great experience.

We're very organized and it's become a lifestyle for us.

*The team was without a coach for two years, but they find it easy to run because most the teammates are friends from youth sailing.

SailingSmarter: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Kelley: Probably in Newport, RI studying engineering. Possibly on government airplanes or boats.

SailingSmarter: What are the best and worst things about college sailing?
Kelley:Best – Hanging out with her friends on the trips and going out with them every Thursday night.

Worst – Traveling every weekend.

SailingSmarter: What is your favorite sailing experience?
Kelley: During a team race the we knew we would win... that’s probably a little pompous... but, the other team we were racing was calling out plays in code, so we started yelling out random things and they were freaking out.

SailingSmarter: What are your predictions for your team this year?
Kelley: It’s our season to shine. One of the teams’ skippers was gone last semester and is returning this season, so the team has high expectations. We’d like to finish in the top 10 in Fleet and Team racing.

SailingSmarter: What two tips would you give to the sailing community to help them finish closer to the front?
Kelley: 1)Take advice from anyone
2) get a good start. It doesn’t matter where you start; just get a good start.”

SailingSmarter: What do you like to do when you not sailing?
Kelley: Skiing and playing squash.

University of Pennsylvania Sailing
Members: 30
Waters: Delaware River
Facility: Corinthian Yacht Club
Coach: Angus Robertson

Read more about Penn Sailing here: http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~pennsail/