The varsity sailing team finished in fourth place out of five teams at the Massachusetts Maritime Invitational at Boston University last Sunday. The regatta was a scrimmage for the Judges, who have not officially begun their season or even regular practices."It was an OK race," Andrew Pearlman '07 said. "The conditions were better than expected but we can always place better."

It was the Judges' first time on the water since last fall, and their rust showed against regional foes Boston University, Brown University, Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Northeastern University.

Despite a forecast of rain and the slightly chilly temperatures, the showers held off and the day was beautiful with enough wind for good sailing.

There were two different courses in Sunday's regatta, both triangular. In a triangle course, there are three different buoys, each facing a different direction. Sailing in this type of setup means that racers need to cope with sailing into the wind, with the wind at their backs and finally across the wind.

"Considering that this is our first time on the water since the fall, we're very pleased with our results," Garvey said. "It was a rather small regatta, but there was some stiff competition so the results were pretty much what we expected."

Unlike the rest of Brandeis' varsity athletic teams, the sailing team does not compete in the University Athletic Association, but rather competes in the New England Intercollegiate Sailing Association.

Five first-years, two sophomores, two juniors and one senior make up a team that usually sends about four people to each regatta.

The Judges are a "small craft" and dinghy squad; the team mainly operates smaller boats that are about 15 feet long. There are usually two people on a boat; a skipper who controls the main sail and steers the vessel and a crew member who handles the smaller sail and the lines. A main part of the crew member's task is trying to keep the boat level through weight distribution.

"It's an easy sport to get into, but a difficult one to master," Pearlman said.

The Judges head to Kingston, R.I. next Sunday to compete in the Rhode Island Invitational.