Jacksonville, Fla. – Rollins wrapped up its fall schedule this weekend, competing at the SAISA Fall Fleet Race Championships hosted by Jacksonville University at the Florida Yacht Club. The weekend featured two events — the Women's Championship Regatta on Friday and the Open Fleet Championship on Saturday and Sunday.
Women's Championship Regatta
Friday's women's event raced FJs in a combined scoring format. Competition got underway in a steady northeast breeze around eight knots, building to 10–14 knots through the afternoon. Sailors managed light chop and strong current under clear, sunny skies to complete eight total races.
Rollins finished third overall behind Charleston and South Florida in the eight-school field, totaling 99 points (60 in A Division, 39 in B). The Tars tallied eight top-five finishes across the day.
In A Division, Shay Bridge (skipper) and Margaret Burnham (crew) started the first four races, notching a fifth-place finish in race two. Mollie Wood stepped in as crew for races five through eight, joining Bridge to post a fourth-place finish and a race win to close the day. In B Division, Annie Samis (skipper) and Jane McKenzie opened with a fourth-place finish in race two before Soleil Aurignac joined Samis for the final four races. That duo delivered consistent results, highlighted by a third-place finish followed by three straight fourths to round out the regatta.
Open Fleet Race Championship
The Open Fleet event featured 18 schools racing FJs in a two-division scoring format. The Tars placed ninth overall with 157 total points (76 in A Division, 81 in B). Racing began in 10–12 knots out of the northeast with a lumpy chop, before the breeze increased to 12–15 knots by the second set. By the afternoon, conditions had built further to 15–18 knots with gusts topping 20, making for a demanding day on the water.
Rollins secured nine top-five finishes across the regatta. In A Division, Milo Miller (skipper) and Alexander Goldsmith (crew) opened the event with a fourth-place finish and a race win through the first four races. Cameron Kinnear then stepped in as crew for races five and six, adding another top-five finish, while Jane McKenzie rounded out the division for races seven and eight with two top-10 results.
In B Division, Caleb Kinnear (skipper) and Adelaide Matzky (crew) sailed races one through four and seven through eight, earning top-10 results in every race. Annie Samis and Jane McKenzie filled in for races five and six, also contributing another top-10 finish.
The Championships mark the end of the Tars' fall season. Rollins will return to the water this spring for the start of team racing.
