TAMPA, FLA., MARCH 16, 2025 — The University of South Florida women's sailing team showcased resilience over an extreme weekend at the St. Mary's Women's Fleet Race Regatta, finishing fifth overall among 18 competing teams.
Saturday's races were plagued by a lack of wind, with only four races completed after a prolonged delay waiting for a breeze. Seniors Kay Brunsvold and Kalea Woodard excelled in the light and shifty conditions, posting a 2-3-4 in their best races. Sophomore Kailey Warrior and junior Melissa Janes started strong with a third-place finish in the opening race as the light wind conditions persisted.
Sunday brought an entirely different challenge as a cold front and squall line brought gusts into the 20s. Despite the wild conditions and multiple capsizes across the fleet, the Bull sailors remained upright. Brunsvold and Woodard delivered another solid performance with several top-five finishes, securing third overall in the A division. In the B division, first-year sailor Ghislaine van Empel teamed up with Janes to cap off the regatta with an impressive 1-3 set in the final two races.
The Bulls' overall fifth-place finish left them just one point shy of fourth, but more importantly, provided valuable experience at the venue that will host the 2025 Women's Fleet Race National Championships on May 20 through 23.
"I'm incredibly proud of our team for their adaptability and composure in such varied conditions," said head coachAllison Jolly. "This weekend was not only a strong showing but a crucial learning experience as we prepare to compete back at this very venue."
Follow the team on Twitter and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.
About USF Sailing
The USF sailing program has reached the national finals in 11 of the last 12 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 and Gold Medalist, 2016 Florida Sports Hall of Fame inductee and 2019 U.S. National Sailing Hall of Fame inductee.
– #GoBulls –
