Two Bainbridge High School sailors are creating history this season. Junior Joseph Tappen and senior Alexander Turloff won first place in their divisions after each racing 15 times at the Burke Thomas Trophy Singlehanded District Championship Sept. 16-17 in Shilshole Bay, Seattle.

Tappen competed against four others in the ILCA-7 class while Turloff competed against 12 sailors in the ILCA-6 class. Since both won, the pair will represent the NorthWest Interscholastic Sailing Association Oct. 28-29 in New Orleans at the Cressy Cup Singlehanded Nationals.

It will be the first time Bainbridge High Sailing has qualified for singlehanded nationals since 2019, and the first time the squad has won both boys’ divisions and is sending two sailors to nationals.

Tappen, 17, began sailing at 10 years old but didn’t compete regularly until eighth grade. Turloff, also 17, began competing around age 11 and has been perfecting his craft ever since.

Also, BHS senior Adam Turloff finished third in the ILCA-6 class.