Results
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The grueling spring season officially got underway for the Eckerd College coed sailing program over the weekend with 20 teams assembling to compete at the SAISA Open in Boca Ciega Bay.
The Tritons sailed consistently to third in the team standings, riding a “B” division crown from the combination of junior
Rachel Cruz, junior
Solvig Sayre, freshman
Brianna Green and semester transfer
Melany Johnson (College of Charleston).
Freshman
Tim Siemers and junior
Meredith Weber, making a return from studying abroad in Australia, combined to man the craft in “A” division.
The University of Florida earned top team honors while College of Charleston was the runner-up.
“Typically, there are about five to six teams in this event that are really good,” said EC assistant coach
Zack Marks. “We are hosting quite a few events this spring and it's good to host and have a good showing.”
As the standings fluctuated through the 24 races on Saturday and Sunday, the Tritons were steady and remained in third the majority of the weekend.
EC first-year Head Coach
Kevin Reali and Marks made a slight personnel switch on the final day in “B” division with Sayre becoming ill.
The regatta field enjoyed ideal weather conditions throughout the weekend that featured shifty winds from the north (coming over the land) and warm temperatures on both days of competition.
After the Tritons won the SAISA series in the fall, the SAISA Open is the first of five conference coed events that are scattered throughout the spring slate.
The top 12 South Atlantic region teams out of the points events will advance to sail to a district event (ACC Championships were canceled during the fall), with the top five moving on to the semifinals and a handful ultimately going to nationals.
On deck for the Tritons is another home event this upcoming weekend, the Mendelblatt Team Race. Eckerd will help comprise the smaller five-team field with the University of South Florida, College of Charleston, Tulane University and Stanford University.
