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wenty schools. Two days. One regatta.

The 2025 Sailpack Oriental Intercollegiate Regatta, hosted by the NC State Sailpack, has been part of Oriental since 2015 (missing a year for the pandemic).

Sailors from Florida Tech head downwind.

Teams came from all over: Florida, Michigan, Maryland, and as far west as San Diego.

Each morning began with a light breakfast, followed by “roll call” – led by Sailpack coach and regatta organizer Dana Magliola. Have a listen:

After rounding the mark, Central Florida’s leans into a windward tack.

Brisk winds (18-20 mph) Saturday morning caused trouble for some – there were several knockdowns in the starting races.

But winds dropped to near 15 mph for the afternoon, making for fewer swimming sailors.

Christopher Newort University sailors took first place.

Florida Institute of Technology Panthers deploy grab-a-line technology.

Sunday’s wind slept in, delaying sailors by half an hour. Initially light air, but then winds did arrive, clocked in at 12-15 mph.

After two days of racing: Christopher Newport University took first place, with Eckerd College and Jacksonville University tied. Eckerd won the tie, taking second place with Jacksonville in third. The host NC State Sailpack placed fourth.

Tar Heel sailor smiles into a splash.

Saturday saw gusts over 20 mph.Sometimes it was a lot, even for the host NC State SailPack.

William & Mary

Brisk sailing conditions had sailors smiling.

The serious men of Hope College.

The Rice University Owls, perched. Maybe you can stand up in a boat.

Tight quarters; Clemson leads with Central Florida and Texas A & M close behind.

William & Mary show windward form.

Michigan State Spartans, one of two teams from the state.

Clockwise from top: A sailor from the University of Texas wears snow goggles – (determined to still use them when they didn’t arrive in time for her snow plans). Texas A&M work on a luffing sail, and FJs sail upwind from the mark.

Jockeying for position at the start.

The Arizona State Sun Devils appeared at the regatta for the first time. They’re a sailing team from a state not known for sailing. TownDock spoke with the team:

Between races, Texas takes a break.

Michigan State Spartans.

Standing to windward, the University of Virginia.

Clockwise from top: San Diego Aztecs had a distinctive hiking style. A half dozen boats round the mark. The USF Bulls looking calm and cool.

Bow to Stern Boating provided the committee boat, a Monk 36 trawler.

Dang. This could be a calendar photo.

Jacksonville University

A Washington College sailor stretches out.

The FJ sailboats are provided by Bow To Stern. With 20 teams this year, Bow To Stern’s fleet of 18 max maxed out: the NC State Sailpack brought along two more to reach the twenty boats needed.

The final results from the 2025 SailPack Regatta:

			School	Team	A		B		TOT
	1		Christopher Newport University	Captains	37		26		63
*	2		Eckerd College	Tritons	38		34		72
*	3		Jacksonville University	Fins	38		34		72
	4		North Carolina State University	Wolfpack	47		26		73
	5		Clemson University	Tigers	77		34		111
	6		Rice University	Owls	63		64		127
	7		University of South Florida	Bulls	75		55		130
	8		San Diego State University	Aztecs	26		112		138
	9		Texas A&M University	Aggies	49		94		143
	10		University of Texas	Longhorns	62		87		149
	11		The Citadel	Bulldogs	108		77		185
	12		Washington College	Shoremen	105		119		224
	13		University of Virginia	Wahoos	113		114		227
	14		University of North Carolina	Tar Heels	147		100		247
	15		University of Central Florida	Knights	88		162		250
	16		Arizona State University	Sun Devils	148		114		262
	17		Hope College	Flying Dutchmen	144		130		274
	18		Florida Institute of Technology	Panthers	128		165		293
	19		Michigan State University	Spartans	162		149		311
	20		William and Mary	Tribe	166		174		340

A note from Dana Magliola, Sailpack coach and regatta organizer:

This year’s event was really special and I feel like we have found a groove and rhythm for the regatta weekend. Everyone had fun, got to know each other, and we had some outstanding sailing competition, too. We’ve been hearing from all of the teams already how much they loved Oriental and want to come back next year!

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Story by Allison DeWeese & Keith N. Smith
Photos by Allison DeWeese

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Posted Tuesday April 1, 2025 by Allison DeWeese