 PJ Rodrigues IslandStats.com Hosts Eckerd College sit fourth in the overall standings following a demanding, wind-shifting opening day of racing at the SAISA Open Top 6 Invite on Boca Ciega Bay.
Race officials and competitors were forced to navigate a capricious breeze from the outset, with early morning action getting under way in a light four to six-knot north-westerly that promptly veered north-east.
By the conclusion of race four, the north-easterly gradient collapsed entirely, swinging out to the west. With the breeze proving far too unstable to stage competitive racing, the race committee sent the fleet ashore for a scheduled lunch interval.
Conditions improved substantially upon the fleet's return to the water, as a steadier eight to 10-knot southerly filled in across the bay to allow races five through eight to be completed in relatively stable pressure.
However, the meteorological reprieve proved short-lived. Following the gate rounding in race eight, the breeze swung back round to the west. While the committee attempted to adjust the marks and get race nine under way, the dying westerly proved too soft and unpredictable, prompting officials to abandon further racing and send the sailors ashore for the day.
Bermudian sailor PJ Rodrigues and crew William Alvarado spearhead Eckerd's A-Division charge, ending the day in fifth place overall with 50 points. The pairing produced their finest showing in race six, executing a sharp tactical leg to cross the line in second place.
In the sister boat, Jordan Vieira and crew Avery Guck sit right behind in sixth spot on 53 points. Vieira showed impressive speed in the shifting morning conditions, claiming a fine victory in race two.
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