HAMPTON, Va. -- The Christopher Newport sailing program opened the spring season with a second-place finish at the CNU Women's in Hampton, finishing just behind St. Mary's College of Maryland for runner-up honors. The Captains scored 67 points while the Seahawks won the regatta with 59. 

The fleet of 11 teams was able to finish eight races on Saturday before completing the final three on Sunday. CNU won A division with 29 points and finished second in B division with 38 points. 

Earning the A division win was Grace Watlington and Gail Schneider by crossing the finish line first three times over the weekend. The tandem had eight top three finishes and never finished lower than fifth, which proved to be the difference ahead of St. Mary's top pair who did record a ninth place finish in race number 10. Watlington and Schneider edged out the Sehawks pair by four points. 

In B division, Laura Smith and Gabby Byrne paired up to finish second with 38 points behind St. Mary's group with 26 points. Smith and Byrne bookended their regatta with wins in the first and final races. The pair added six total top three finishes in 11 races. 

Christopher Newport will return to action on March 15-16 at the St. Mary's College Women's in Maryland.