Through 18 races the College of Charleston women’s sailing team has won four of them and placed in the top three in nine others and lead the ICSA Women’s National Championship, being held May 25-28 on Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisc., by 35 points after the first day of action.  The Cougars, with 59 points, hold the lead over Boston College, who has 94.

The duo of Allie Blecher (Fullerton, Calif.) and Alyssa Aitken (Sandwich, Mass.) lead the A-Division with 22 points and have accounted for all of the wins so far.  Boston College is a distant second with 50 points.

Shannon Heausler (Tampa, Fla.) and Becca Bestoso (Erie, Pa.) posted 37 points in the B-Division to lead Brown University with its 41.

The Cougars will round out competition Friday, May 28, looking for their first national title since 2006.