TAMPA (April 18, 2024) – The University of South Florida sailing team placed third overall this past weekend in the SAISA Conference Women's Team & Fleet Racing Championship hosted by Jacksonville University.

South Florida competed against six teams including College of Charleston, host Jacksonville University, NC State, FSU, and Rollins College. 

Conditions were extreme, with a strong current on the St. Johns River and winds gusting to the mid-20's. Capsizes were common, racing was tight, and the lead changed often. 

After a full round robin followed by a final four, College of Charleston was the clear victor, with USF and Jacksonville tied for second place. In a nail-biter final head-to-head race, Jacksonville emerged victorious, leaving the Bulls in third. 

USF's lineup was: Emma Shakespeare, Hannah Marsicano, Kay Brunsvold, Janie Powell, Kalea Woodard, Madisen Hamai, and Kailey Warrior. 

The following day the SAISA Conference Women's Fleet Racing Championships were held at the same venue but with very different conditions. 

Unstable, shifty, and light winds were on the menu, and several races were halted at the midway point as the wind speed dropped to zero. 

After a very long day of racing beginning at 9am and ending at 5:45pm, once again the College of Charleston was the winner. Once again, USF ended up in third place, this time just behind NC State, but ahead of in-state rivals FSU, Miami, FLorida, Jacksonville University, Rollins, and Embry-Riddle. 

About USF Sailing
The USF sailing program has reached the national finals in 10 of the last 11 years. The Bulls finished in the top 10 during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. The sailing team is based out of St. Petersburg and has been led since 2014 by head coach Allison Jolly, a former USA Olympian, 2016 Florida Sports Hall of Fame inductee and 2019 U.S. National Sailing Hall of Fame inductee.
 
Follow the team on Twitter and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.

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