The Palm Beach Atlantic University Sailing Team wrapped up an exciting weekend of competition at the SAISA Fall Open Fleet Race Championship, hosted by the Florida Yacht Club on the St. Johns River. The regatta featured the top 18 collegiate teams in the South Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association (SAISA), providing an opportunity for the Sailfish to test themselves against some of the strongest programs in the conference.
PBA finished 12th overall, testing their depth in another weekend with strong winds and variable conditions with lots of chop and current.
Skipper Dawson Kohl, sailing with crews Priscilla Foster and Mason Oleniczak, led the way in A Division with a strong performance throughout the 11-race series. After settling into rhythm during the opening races, the Sailfish broke into the top of the fleet with an impressive 4th-place finish in Race 5 and a 5th in Race 6. The team continued to post consistent top-ten results through the remainder of the event, earning 114 points overall in A Division. Despite some challenges and some disappointing races, these results showcase their growth in shifting breeze and choppy river conditions.
In B Division, freshman skipper Gabby Ramia made her championship debut alongside crew Kalia Peterson, while skipper Nathan Hjort shared the helm with crew Lily Frakes. The team faced a demanding mix of light-air and heavy-air racing, including gusts nearing 20 knots, but demonstrated strong teamwork and persistence throughout the day. The Sailfish posted steady mid-fleet results, highlighted by a 10th-place finish in the opening race and a string of consistent scores across the series. The division tallied 142 points overall, contributing to a combined team total of 256 points for the weekend.
A Growing Force in SAISA Competition
The regatta was won by the College of Charleston, followed closely by Eckerd College and the University of Miami, rounding out a field stacked with nationally ranked teams. Despite the challenging competition, PBA held its own and continued to build momentum heading into future seasons.
The Sailfish extend their gratitude to the Florida Yacht Club for hosting an exceptional event and to the volunteer race committee led by Matt King, Shaynah True, and Andrew Fay for their professionalism.
PBA Sailing continues to demonstrate resilience, teamwork, and progress as the program grows within one of college sailing's most competitive conferences.
