Vieira and Rodrigues secure share of top spots for Eckerd College
Bermudian sailors Jordan Vieira and PJ Rodrigues helped Eckerd College claim a share of top honours after mounting a thrilling final-day comeback at the weather-disrupted Charleston Fall Interconference regatta in South Carolina.
Competing across the tricky tidal waters of Crab Bank, the Tritons overcame frustrating delays to finish tied for first alongside hosts College of Charleston in a competitive 15-team fleet.
Saturday’s opening proceedings tested the sailors’ patience, with light breezes forcing a wind hold until 12:30. When racing finally got under way in Club 420s, crews contended with an ebbing current and testing winds of 5 to 6 knots.
Vieira steered Eckerd’s A Division boat alongside crew Angelina Manchuk—later joined by Avery Guck—while Rodrigues paired with Peyton Seidle in the B Division.
Four races were completed before threatening thunderstorms forced an early halt, leaving Eckerd fourth overall overnight on 45 points.
With officials racing to beat Sunday’s 15:00 deadline, Eckerd produced an electric start. Vieira and Guck clinched an emphatic bullet in the A Division, matched stride-for-stride by Rodrigues and Seidle, who sailed home to victory in the B Division.
The double triumph ignited Eckerd’s climb up the leaderboard as breezes freshened to gusts of 12 knots.
However, around 13:00 the wind vanished entirely, forcing race committee officials to abandon further action. With Race 9A voided, the standings reverted to the completed rounds, confirming Eckerd level with Charleston at the summit on 76 points.
