The William Smith Herons sailing wrapped up competition at the Intercollegiate Sailing Association Women’s Fleet Race Eastern Semifinals on Saturday, finishing 13th overall on Tampa Bay in Tampa. The Herons totaled 220 points across two days of racing against one of the nation’s strongest collegiate fields.
Thirty-six teams entered the regatta and were split into two 18-team semifinal groups, with the top nine from each advancing to the championship round. Reigning national champion Stanford claimed the Eastern semifinal title with 81 points.
William Smith battled through changing conditions throughout the weekend. Friday’s racing featured winds ranging from 8-18 knots before lighter and more difficult conditions arrived Saturday, testing consistency across both divisions.
Sophomores Sabrina Starck and Olivia Wilkins led the Herons in B Division, placing 12th with 103 points. The duo recorded four top-10 finishes, highlighted by a fourth-place showing in the eighth race of the regatta.
In A Division, sophomore Deana Fedulova and junior Ella Donaldson finished 13th with 117 points. The pair secured three top-10 finishes while navigating the challenging wind shifts and flat-water conditions on Tampa Bay.
Despite narrowly missing advancement to the championship regatta, the Herons gained valuable postseason experience competing against many of the top programs in the country.
William Smith returns to the water Tuesday, May 19, for the Open Fleet Race National Championships.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].