ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—The William Smith sailing team finished 13th at the Intercollegiate Sailing Association Women's Fleet Race Eastern Semifinals. The regatta was hosted by the University of South Florida on Tampa Bay.
 
Thirty-six teams began competition on Friday in two 18-team semifinals. The top nine in each semifinal advanced to the championship regatta, which starts tomorrow.
 
ABOUT THE REGATTA

• Racing began on Friday with winds ranging from 8-10 knots from the northeast that built to 10-12 knots. Midday racing was postponed as wind speeds dropped to 2-8 knots. After 2:30 p.m., racing resumed in 13-18 knot winds on flat water. Six races were completed in each division on Day 1.
• Today's racing brought lighter and trickier conditions that tested every team. The final four races in each division were completed.
• Stanford, the reigning national champions, won the Eastern semifinal with 81 points.

 
HOW THE HERONS FARED

• William Smith finished the semifinals with 220 points.
• Sophomores Sabrina Starck and Olivia Wilkins competed in B Division. They were 12th with 103 points. They had four top-10 finishes, including a fourth place finish in the eighth race.
• Sophomore Deana Fedulova and junior Ella Donaldson competed in A Division. They placed 13th with 117 points. They compiled three top 10 finishes.

 
UP NEXT
HWS will be back in action on Tuesday, May 19, when it competes in the Open Fleet Race National Championships.