Bermudian sailors PJ Rodrigues and Jordan Vieira helped Eckerd College secure a fourth-place finish after shifting, unstable winds disrupted the SAISA Open Top 6 Invite at the Doyle Sailing Center in Florida.
Challenging conditions dictated the regatta from the outset in St Petersburg. On day one, oscillating four-to-six-knot breezes forced organisers to call an early lunch break following several aborted attempts to get racing under way.
A steadier southerly wind arrived in the afternoon, allowing eight races to be completed before the breeze faded, leaving Eckerd fourth overall on 239 points.
Rodrigues delivered a composed showing in the A Division alongside Will Alvarado, placing fifth with 50 points after registering seven top-10 finishes. Vieira was equally solid in the B Division, partnering Avery Guck to claim sixth with 53 points, aided by five top-10 efforts.
In the C Division, Wesley Kaser and Lily Tracey handled races one through six before Nic Dowling and Oaklee Burnham took over for the final two contests, combining for 136 points.
Hopes of a final-day fightback were dashed on Sunday when persistent wind holds ended with officials formally abandoning competition at noon.
