Palm Beach Atlantic University competed Saturday at the Dick Allsop Trophy, hosted by Jacksonville University, where the Sailfish faced another day of challenging current, light breeze, and an early finish due to approaching storms.
Racing got underway shortly before 9:40 a.m. in a steady 8–10 knot south-southeasterly breeze. Sailors immediately had to contend with a strong incoming current flowing directly up the course, making starts and mark roundings especially challenging throughout the morning.
As the day progressed, both the breeze and current eased before the tide reversed around 1 p.m., sending a down-course current through the race area while winds settled into the 6–8 knot range. After four races in each division, threatening weather moved in from the south, forcing the race committee to postpone competition. With storms showing no signs of clearing, the regatta concluded after eight total races.
Palm Beach Atlantic finished 14th overall with 94 points in the large fleet. The Sailfish A Division crew of senior Nathan Hjort and sophomore Grace VanGessel recorded 38 points to finish 12th in their division. In B Division, junior Kaylee King teamed with freshman Gabriela Picard for the first three races before freshman Jordon Hetchler stepped in for the final race, combining for a 15th-place divisional finish.
The Dick Allsop Trophy marked another regatta this fall in which the Sailfish were tested by strong current and light winds—conditions that have become a recurring theme throughout the season. Each event has provided valuable experience in boat handling, strategy, and patience, skills the team hopes to carry into the final stretch of the fall campaign.
Palm Beach Atlantic now turns its attention to one of the highlights of the season as it hosts its second-ever home regatta on Saturday, October 17. The event will welcome teams from across Florida to West Palm Beach, giving the Sailfish an opportunity to compete on their home waters while showcasing both the university and the Palm Beaches as a premier sailing destination. Following the home regatta, the team will take a brief break for Fall Break before traveling back to Charleston to close out the regular season at the SAISA Women's Fall Fleet Race Championships and the SAISA Co-ed Fall Fleet Race Championships.
