Cullen Zelenka

Cullen Zelenka is an undergraduate at the University at Buffalo studying Mechanical and Electrical engineering, and is a graduate of the Sapling program. He was the first Winter Sapling and helped develop Oakcliff’s gap year program. After spending the summer of 2019 as the Boat Captain of Farr 40 Red and traveling to Argentina to compete in the Rolex South Atlantic Circuit, he went on to campaign Oakcliff’s Class 40 to race double handed in the Atlantic Cup (until it was canceled due to COVID-19). That campaign turned into a campaign for the Ida Lewis Distance Race and the Vineyard Race which was not cancelled.

Cullen is now spending all of his time outside of school working on boats and continuing to build his knowledge about the marine industry in order to one day race around the world. He hopes to sail fully crewed around the world in the Ocean Race, then do another few laps single handed in the Vendee Globe singlehanded. Cullen brings enthusiasm and a strong work ethic to any team he is a part of.