News Summary
The University of South Florida sailing team finishes its fall season with impressive performances at the SAISA Fall Women’s Championships, securing second place. Key contributions came from seniors Kay Brunsvold and Kalea Woodard, who excelled during competitions. Nevertheless, challenges arose at the Nickerson Trophy, where the team placed eighth. As the fall season concludes, the team looks forward to future events under the guidance of former Olympian Allison Jolly, who continues to mold the program’s success.
St. Petersburg, Florida – The University of South Florida (USF) sailing team concluded its fall competition season with notable achievements, wrapping up events on November 1, 2024. The team showcased their skilled sailing abilities at the SAISA Fall Women’s Championships, where they secured a commendable second-place finish, only behind the host institution, College of Charleston. This accomplishment underscores the team’s competitive prowess against a field of nine participating teams, including prominent programs from NC State, Clemson, Florida State, UCF, Jacksonville, and Rollins.
In addition to their success at the SAISA Championships, USF also performed impressively at the Freshmen Championships, finishing in eighth place overall. The team received recognition for their strategic racing and teamwork, highlighting the development of new talent within their ranks.
Seniors Kay Brunsvold and Kalea Woodard were instrumental in their team’s success at the SAISA Championships, achieving an impressive second-place finish in the regatta. The duo secured three victories amidst a total of 15 races sailed. Meanwhile, Emma Shakespeare made her final collegiate appearance and, alongside teammate Melissa Janes, concluded the regatta with a solid fourth-place finish overall.
The structured points system from all sailors contributed to USF’s overall second-place standing at the SAISA Championships. This collective effort displayed the unity and competitiveness of the USF sailing team as they approached the conclusion of their fall season.
On a different front, USF faced fierce competition at the Nickerson Trophy, which was hosted by Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. The team finished in eighth place among 18 competing teams. Notable rivals included prestigious colleges like Brown, Harvard, Boston College, and MIT, showcasing the depth of talent within collegiate sailing.
In the A division, USF’s Efe Guder and Sara Menesale achieved a commendable finish, coming just one point shy of third place while consistently delivering single-digit finishes across all 12 races. In the B division, Grace Jones and Macy Parke encountered challenging sailing conditions, including capsizing incidents. Despite battling against a leaking boat, they managed to secure a spot in the top 10 in the B division while also claiming the title of second-place women’s team in the coed event.
The recent competitions mark the conclusion of the fall season for some boats that are expected to be retired, signifying a transition period for the team as they prepare for future competitions. The USF sailing program has enjoyed a successful history, making it to national finals in 11 of the past 12 years and finishing in the top 10 during the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
Coaching the team since 2014, Allison Jolly—who is also a former USA Olympian and Gold Medalist—continues to lead the program with her extensive experience in the sport. Jolly’s contributions to sailing were recognized with her induction into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 and the U.S. National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2019.
As the sailing team based out of St. Petersburg, Florida, continues to build on its legacy, followers can stay updated on the team’s journey by connecting on social media. For more valuable information regarding the team and its upcoming events, the USF audience is encouraged to frequently visit their official communication channels.
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Additional Resources
- USF Sailing Concludes Fall Schedule
- Google Search: USF sailing
- USF Women’s Sailing Secures Top Five Finish
- Wikipedia: Sailing
- USF Women’s Sailing Co-hosts Sunshine City Team Race
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sailing
- 2025 Melges 24 Southeast Regional Racing Circuit
- Google News: Sailing Competition
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
