CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Palm Beach Atlantic University Sailing Team marked a significant milestone in program history last weekend, competing in its first-ever team racing event at the Mendelblatt Open Team Race on Charleston Harbor's famed Crab Bank.
Facing steady northerly winds of 7–12 knots on Saturday, the Sailfish went head-to-head with seasoned programs in a fast-paced, tactical format that challenged them in new ways. With light air forecasted for Sunday, the regatta was completed in full on Saturday, packing an entire weekend of competition into one demanding day.
PBA finished the event with a 1-8 record, earning a decisive win in one rotation (1-2-5) and battling through several tightly contested races. While the overall result was not what the Sailfish had hoped for, the experience represented a major step forward for the growing program.
Unlike traditional fleet racing, team racing demands constant communication, strategic coordination, and an aggressive understanding of boat-on-boat tactics. For a squad competing in the format for the first time, the learning curve was steep — and embraced.
"This was a huge step for us," the team reflected. "Team racing pushes you mentally and physically in ways fleet racing doesn't. Every race forced us to think differently, communicate more clearly, and trust each other under pressure."
The conditions on Saturday provided a true test. The moderate breeze on Crab Bank required precise boat handling and quick tactical decisions, exposing areas for growth while also highlighting the team's resilience. Their victory in the second rotation demonstrated their ability to execute when pieces came together, offering a glimpse of the program's potential in this discipline.
Though Sunday brought no racing, the Sailfish left Charleston with something more valuable than a win column boost: experience. Competing against established team racing programs provided a benchmark and a challenge that will shape the trajectory of PBA sailing moving forward.
The Mendelblatt Open Team Race may not have delivered the record the Sailfish wanted, but it marked the beginning of a new chapter. As PBA continues to expand its competitive reach, this first step into team racing stands as proof that the program is willing to challenge itself — and grow from it.
