Palm Beach Atlantic University's women's sailing team placed eighth overall in its first time attending the SAISA Women's Fleet Race Championships for the Ann Boyd Trophy, held April 11–12 in St. Petersburg, Florida. Competing against 12 of the conference's top programs, the Sailfish posted a combined score of 194 points across two divisions in a regatta defined by steady winds, challenging seas, and tightly contested racing.
Hosted by the University of South Florida, the two-day championship featured near-ideal sailing conditions. Saturday's racing saw east-northeast winds ranging from 8 to 13 knots, with gusts up to 18, creating choppy upwind legs and fast, surfing conditions downwind. Sunday delivered similar conditions, with a stronger morning breeze tapering off into the afternoon.
Palm Beach Atlantic's A Division, led by skipper Gabby Ramia '29 alongside crews Jacey Daly '28 and Kalia Peterson '28, recorded consistent mid-fleet finishes throughout the regatta. The trio navigated a competitive rotation and demanding conditions to finish with 103 points.
In B Division, skipper Priscilla Foster '27 and crew Grace VanGessel '29 compiled 91 points, highlighted by several single-digit finishes, including a fourth-place result. The pair remained competitive in a division marked by close racing and shifting breeze.
The regatta completed a full 12-race series in each division, with races averaging between 12 and 14 minutes. Despite a smooth event overall, the weekend included general recalls, a protest hearing, and minor equipment issues across the fleet, adding to the challenge.
The College of Charleston claimed the team title, finishing with 34 points, followed by host South Florida with 60. Rollins College rounded out the top three.
For Palm Beach Atlantic, the eighth-place finish marks an important milestone as the program made its first appearance at the SAISA Women's Fleet Race Championships. Competing against some of the conference's top teams, the Sailfish gained valuable experience on a championship stage that will serve them moving forward. PBA will return to St. Petersburg next weekend as they shift focus to the SAISA Co-ed Championships, looking to build on the momentum from their inaugural showing.
