This past weekend, the UCSD Sailing Club competed at the Fall Pacific Coast Championships, held at the picturesque Santa Barbara Harbor. With 38 members and seven boats representing our team, we faced off against 18 colleges from up and down the West Coast.

Day one of the regatta brought unexpected challenges as winds blew steadily at 15-20 knots, creating dynamic conditions for racing. Each division was able to complete 6 races (18 total) before sundown. On the second day, the wind made it unable to sail until about 1:15 pm, after which the PRO got 2 races off per division.

We had some standout performances from some of our sailors; Allie and Audra performed very well in the open division, with multiple top-ten finishes. In the JV division, Mitchel and Samantha clinched a first-place finish in one of their races, a highlight of the weekend.

For many of our newer members, this was their first collegiate regatta, offering a valuable introduction to ocean sailing and competitive racing. They gained firsthand experience with waves and learned what it takes to compete at this level. The regatta also served as an opportunity to assess our team’s competitive edge and fine-tune divisional placements moving forward.

In addition to the on-the-water action, the team displayed outstanding camaraderie and efficiency off the water. From loading trailers to rigging boats, everyone pitched in to ensure smooth logistics—a noteworthy achievement given the number of new members.

The Fall Pacific Coast Championships was an unforgettable experience, full of growth, teamwork, and incredible performances. UCSD Sailing Club continues to demonstrate our strength and spirit both on and off the water, and we’re excited for what’s ahead this season!