Fall out from fire leaves sailing team looking to pick up the pieces

The UNH sailing team is currently regrouping after the complete devastation of their boathouse last Thursday due to an incendiary fire. 

A call was made regarding black smoke coming from the UNH Rec Center on Mendum's Pond at approximately 4:30 p.m., with the fire department arriving at the scene around 5 p.m. 

The 20 firefighters from the Barrington, Lee, Durham, and Nottingham fire departments had difficulty locating and reaching the fire, as the pathway to the boathouse is unmaintained during the winter months. Due to this roadblock, the fire had completely destroyed the boathouse by the time the firefighters reached it.

"I think it is a very unfortunate incident and there was no reason for it to happen," said Barrington Fire Chief Richard Walker. "What bothers me is the number of students and community members who have been negatively impacted because of this." 

While the office of the State Fire Marshall is continuing investigations, the fire has been ruled an incendiary fire, commonly referred to as arson, as no natural causes could have accounted for the fire.  Over 55 sailboats, five motors, three coaching launches, many wet suits, and other pieces of equipment were lost in the fire, with estimates of damage totaling over $600,000. 

The biggest obstacle the team faces at the moment is coming to terms with the amount of money lost and how to begin raising money to continue their spring season.  Currently, insurance adjustors are evaluating the damage and the amount of money that the team will receive, if any. 

"Given these tough economic times we have to be realistic about this situation," said UNH Sailing Coach Diana Weidenbacker.  "We don't have a million dollars to rebuild and we are confident that UNH will do what they can.  I am psyched at the fact that a lot of alumni have shown interest in helping and donating."

Just five days after the fire, there has been a tremendous outpouring of concern from alumni of the program and community members.  A nearby college and two separate yacht clubs have already offered the team access to their boats as well.
Secretary Annie Sager is motivated by the support of the team and community so far. 

"As much as this is a tragedy, good can come of it," said Sager.   "Already, less than a week after the event, not just the college sailing community but the whole sailing community has come together in ways that I could never have imagined. UNH sailing as a club has seen support from not only the university but also from other club sports teams that hasn't been seen to this extent before."

Yet, there is still fear that the team will be forced to cancel its season.

"Being the captain of the sailing team truly defined my college career when I was at UNH," said assistant coach and recent graduate of the program, Chris Lund.  "This tragedy is especially horrible because a college career is such a short period of time and even to miss one season or to have to stop practicing for anything could be devastating to members on the team, especially seniors, who have worked so hard to progress throughout their time here."

The fire has not only affected the sailing team, but the surrounding community as well. The boathouse was used for summer sailing programs, which taught parties of all ages how to sail on Mendum's Pond.

"As a current employee of the summer program and growing up participating in the program since I was eight years old, it has been rewarding to see young kids enjoy the program as much as I did and to progress in their skill level," said UNH student Alec Schidlovsky.

Although the loss of the boathouse has been devastating, Schidlovsky and Weidenbacker both commented on the publicity the incident has given the sailing team.

"A lot of folks are not aware of club teams like ours, and if anything this tragedy could help to bring light to teams like ours who work hard and have a positive impact on the university," said Weidenbacker.  "These students don't get paid to sail, they just do the sport because they are passionate about it."

The sailing team is co-ed and consists of 60 members with around 15-20 members participating in spring racing.  The team was founded in 1936 and has been always been a club team at UNH. The team participates in over 50 regattas in the fall and over 30 regattas in the spring and is currently the UNH sailing team is ranked 16 out of 36 schools in New England.

"Obviously there are a lot of negatives to this situation but I think this incident will show how many people care and are involved with the sailing team and I think that they will come back a stronger and better program for it," said Schidlovsky.

The team's resilience has proven Schidlovsky correct. For Commodore of the team, Brittany Healy, the team has meant too much to give up. 

"It is hard to put into words how much this team means to me," said Healy.  "Sailing has always been a very important part of my life, and I chose to come to UNH after spending time with the team on my recruit visit."

According to Healy, the short-term plan is to get onto the water again.

"We will continue to sail at away regattas on the weekends, [which hopefully will be] made possible by the use of [borrowed] boats at each venue."
Weidenbacker is not focusing on the fire or the setbacks of the situation.

"We are not going to get beaten down, the perpetrators are not going to win," said Weidenbacker. "We will rebuild, we will survive, and we will do our best to sail and to keep our summer program intact."

Although the fire destroyed material possessions and the physical structure of the boathouse, it has not crushed the team's spirit.

"Our team is a family," said Weidenbacker. "It is important for the sailors to know that they are not alone in this and while it may seem like a daunting future, from this point forward we choose to sail."

Follow Kerry Feltner on Twitter at Twitter.com/kerr14felt