“We minimized the mistakes, and we also made a lot of crew changes,” Slattery said. “The crews didn’t have a lot of experience together, but we were able to transition very effectively.”

Kopp also pointed to the team’s spring break trip, which included practices at Navy, as crucial for the team to get accustomed to the relatively unfamiliar waters.

“Spring break training was extremely beneficial,” Kopp said. “We sailed there for a week and a half, and that’s not what we practice in all the time.”

The co-ed team is not the only Harvard team that will compete in the national regattas, as the women’s sailing team has already punched its ticket. The women qualified weeks ago on April 22, when the Crimson placed seventh in the New England Women’s Championship.

Although the women’s national championship will also be held in Austin, that event will begin on May 30. With a couple weeks of preparation free of the demands of school and finals, Kopp believes the teams are well positioned to make a splash at nationals.

“We know we have the tools to do well,” Kopp said. “It’s just whether or not we sail to our potential.”

—Staff writer Andrew R. Mooney can be reached at mooney@college.harvard.edu.

—Staff writer Blake Sundel can be reached at bsundel@college.harvard.edu.