Strong Conference Performance Secures National Spot
South Florida sailor Ghislaine van Empel earned qualification for the Singlehanded National Championship following an impressive showing at the SAISA Singlehanded Conference Championship. The upcoming national event takes place in Rye, New York, hosted by Fordham University on November 7 and 8. Van Empel made her return to the ILCA 6 boat class for the first time in over eight years during the regional event.
After adjusting to the vessel during the opening races of the competition, van Empel established a dominant pace across the remaining events. She secured three consecutive race victories to finish third overall in the final standings out of nine completed contests. Her final score placed her just one point behind the runner up and five points behind the overall winner.
At Large Selection Recognizes Collegiate Resume
Automatic qualification for the Singlehanded National Championship is reserved exclusively for the individual winner of each conference championship event. The remaining field is selected through a dedicated committee process that awards twelve at large bids to top competitors based on overall collegiate sailing resumes and season results.
Van Empel received one of the competitive at large invitations following her performance throughout the conference schedule. Expressing her excitement for the upcoming national competition, van Empel noted her enthusiasm for competing at a new venue and representing the South Florida program on the national stage.
Tradition of Excellence for USF Sailing Program
The South Florida sailing program maintains a long history of championship contention under the direction of head coach Allison Jolly. Jolly has led the program since 2004 following a distinguished competitive career that includes an Olympic Gold Medal in 1988 as well as inductions into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame and the United States National Sailing Hall of Fame.
Under Jolly leadership, the team has captured eight SAISA conference titles, including a championship victory in 2025. The program has successfully reached the national finals in thirteen of the past fourteen seasons, highlighted by top ten national finishes during the 2012 and 2013 campaigns.
Waterfront Roots and Media Information
Founded in 1997, the USF sailing team operates out of facilities based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The program competes regularly against top collegiate teams across the country while maintaining a strong regional presence within the SAISA conference structure.
Fans and supporters can follow the latest news and updates regarding the sailing program through official University of South Florida social media channels across Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram as van Empel prepares for the national stage in New York.
