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he 2026 SailPack Regatta welcomed its first international competitors and dealt with high winds that moved the race into the creeks. Winds started low on Saturday, at 5-10 mph, and increased to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 by Sunday.

Canadian crew The Queen’s Gaels sails away from the mark. They took second place overall.

It was an opportunity for sailors to show off their skills, from sailing in light winds on a roomy river course to competing in a tight formation among white caps in the narrow creek.

Arizona State and San Diego compete in Smith Creek.

Capsizing was simply part of the experience.

One of several capsized sailboats on Sunday.

Despite pre-race checks, there were also an unusual number of mid-race repairs required, everything from fixing broken shackles and replacing snapped main sheets to broken pintles and a leaky hull.

Pulling down the mast to repair a broken shackle.

The well-prepared crew of Bow to Stern made repairs mid-race, armed with a tackle box containing the hardware for a full FJ sailboat. Anything not available on the boat was stocked and ready on shore.

Alexis Lutz of Bow to Stern sews a in a replacement batten as the race continues around her and the crew.

By the end of the race, hosts NC State secured first place with Canadian visitors Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario – called the Queen’s Gaels or sometimes Queen’s Sailing – taking second place. The Jacksonville Fins came in third.

Clockwise from top: The Queen’s Gaels, Jacksonville & USF, NC State. Canada and San Diego were newcomers to the regatta.

The final results are here:

			School	Team	A		B		TOT
	1		North Carolina State University	Wolfpack	28		37		65
	2		Queen's University	Gaels	39		38		77
	3		Jacksonville University	Fins	41		48		89
	4		University of California at San Diego	Tritons	59		43		102
	5		Christopher Newport University	Captains	56		52		108
	6		Virginia Tech	Hokies	57		53		110
	7		University of South Florida	Bulls	103		87		190
	8		University of Texas	Longhorns	106		95		201
	9		Rice University	Owls	122		124		246
	10		Clemson University	Tigers	115		137		252
	11		University of Florida	Gators	141		120		261
	12		William and Mary	Tribe	100		169		269
	13		University of North Carolina	Tar Heels	196		117		313
	14		University of North Carolina at Wilmington	Seahawks	159		173		332
	15		Arizona State University	Sun Devils	188		149		337
	16		Georgia Institute of Technology	Yellow Jackets	186		187		373
	17		Michigan State University	Spartans	193		190		383
	18		Embry-Riddle University	Eagles	182		208		390
	19		University of Mississippi	Rebels	191		217		408

Group photo before the races begin. (Caz Doyle photo)

Tha Canadian saililng crew from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario.

Clockwise from top: San Diego, CNU, Texas

William & Mary crew shift around a moving boom.

Fleet A on the Neuse, early Saturday morning.

Not only were winds high, but waters were low. Some boats ran aground.

The SailPack Regatta happens every April.

The Committee Boat helping out, Saturday on the Neuse.

Embry-Riddle bail out their boat. The number 4 hull had a leak and was taking on water.

Sailing downwind in light air Saturday.

Clockwise from top: University of Florida, Christopher Newport University, Rice University.

Crowded race start in the creek Sunday.

What it’s like to get 19 boats and crew from shore to creek, in 55 sped-up seconds:

The Embry-Riddle crew post capsize in the creek.

On the Neuse, clockwise from top: University of North Carolina, NC State, Michigan.

Saturday, hull #4 was still taking on water and was towed in to be replaced.

Resting between races.

One crew in, one crew out.

SailPack at the mark. (Jennifer Smart photo)

Clockwise from top: Arizona, Embry-Riddle, and Ole Miss

Crews rotate from shore to boat via RIB.

Around the marks.

Trying to rid hull 4 (Embry-Riddle) of water between races. The boat was repaired Saturday night, but had to be switched out for Sunday’s races.

USF maximizes the light wind.

The view from Lou Mac Park.

Looking for lost sunglass near the Committee Boat, Saturday.

Saturday’s fleet formation.

Several boats capsized in the creeks on Saturday. It’s not easy getting back in the boat.

Sunday’s fleet on the creeks.

The William and Mary crew return to the boat after capsizing.

Georgia Tech, the University of Texas, and the University of South Florida

Attaching a new jib shackle. The pin in the old shackle had bent from the strain.

Burgees of the 19 universities that participated in the 2026 SailPack Regatta/

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Story & photos by Allison DeWeese.

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Posted Wednesday April 8, 2026 by Allison DeWeese