UC Irvine Sailors Deserve Recognition

Jim Murray rightly acknowledges the fine tradition and coaching of Eddie Merrins golf program at UCLA; and the focus on the 1988 National Collegiate Championship for UCLA golf team is surely justified.

However, in recognizing other L.A. area national championship teams in 1988, he neglected to mention the UC Irvine sailing team. Collegiate sailing is perhaps the most demanding and competitive sailing in the world, and graduates of its ranks go on to be the sport’s Olympic medalists and even America’s Cup competitors. In 1988, Irvine won both the Dinghy National Championship and the Team Racing Championship. Irvine also had four skippers and one crew earn All-American honors.

Frankly, Coach Craig Wilson’s Anteater sailing team deserves far more recognition and credit than has been afforded it by the L.A. Times.

JIM MUNCH

Huntington Beach