Eckerd’s sailing squad secured a fourth-place finish at the SAISA Top Nine regatta, punching their ticket to the Atlantic Coast Championship qualifier after a weekend of challenging conditions off Charleston.
Light winds on Saturday limited early racing as the Tritons competed off Crab Bank, completing just one race before the breeze died and sailors were sent ashore for an hour-long break. Racing resumed once the wind and current picked up, allowing six additional races before an incoming storm ended competition for the day.
Eckerd closed Saturday in third place with 106 points, sitting just 11 points behind second. Jordan Vieira and Avery Guck finished the opening day ninth overall with 66 points, while PJ Rodrigues and Will Alvarado sat in second with 40 points, only nine points behind the leaders.
The Tritons returned to the water Sunday with the course positioned near the Yorktown. Shifting currents played a significant role throughout the day, particularly near the channel, while winds began at 5-7 knots out of the north. With the regatta capped at 14 races, the remaining seven were completed Sunday as winds steadily increased to 12-14 knots.
Eckerd finished fourth overall with 238 points, earning the coveted spot at the Atlantic Coast Championship qualifier.
Vieira and Guck totaled 135 points, finishing 11th overall and seventh in the A Division. Rodrigues and Alvarado recorded 103 points, placing fifth overall while winning the B Division in impressive fashion.
The Tritons return to action September 26-27 when they host the SAISA Open Top 6 Invite.
