Palm Beach Atlantic University's sailing team captured a decisive win at the Florida Trophy Regatta on Saturday, outperforming a seven-team field in a competitive combined-division event marked by shifting conditions and steady racing.
The regatta began inside Bayboro Harbor at 9:45 a.m. under a light 4–5 knot easterly breeze, with clear skies and mild temperatures in the low 70s. While early forecasts suggested the wind might fade, conditions instead improved, building to 5–7 knots and allowing race officials to complete six races before the midday break.
PBA quickly established itself as a frontrunner thanks to a dominant showing from its Sailfish 1 squad. In A Division, skipper Dawson Kohl '27 and crew Priscilla Foster '27 delivered one of the most consistent performances of the day, posting finishes of 2, 1, 3, 3, 2, 4, 1, 1 for a total of 17 points. Their ability to stay near the front in nearly every race proved pivotal.
The momentum continued in B Division, where Gabby Ramia '29 and Kalia Peterson '28 contributed a strong 24-point series (4, 5, 1, 1, 4, 3, 2, 4), helping PBA maintain its lead heading into the afternoon.
Following lunch, racing shifted into Tampa Bay, east of Lassing Park, as a southeasterly breeze filled in. One race was completed in stronger wind conditions, though sailors had to contend with a significant incoming current. After the course was lengthened, the wind dropped off unexpectedly, prompting a move back inside Bayboro Harbor.
Despite nearly two hours of waiting for a seabreeze to develop, racing was ultimately called for the day at 4:15 p.m., leaving eight completed races per division.
PBA's Sailfish 2 team added depth to the overall result. Nathan Hjort '27 and Grace VanGessel '29 recorded 44 points in A Division, while Brayden Valliere '29 and Felicity Jones '29 finished with 94 points in B Division. Altogether, Palm Beach Atlantic posted a combined team score of 138 points.
All races were sailed in W4 format, averaging 10–13 minutes in length. Notably, the regatta concluded without any protests or equipment breakdowns, reflecting clean competition and smooth race management.
Palm Beach Atlantic finished atop the standings, followed by host University of South Florida in second and Florida Tech in third.
The victory highlights the Sailfish program's depth and consistency, with standout performances in both divisions and an ability to adapt to changing conditions—an encouraging sign as the team continues its spring season.
