CHARLESTON, S.C. – The University of Hawai'i women's sailing team concluded its 2016-17 campaign with an 11th place finish in the Sperry Women's National Semifinals at Cooper River in Charleston Harbor.
 
A total of 36 teams from across the nation—divided into two fleets—competed in the semifinals the past two days to determine the top 18 teams to the finals. UH looked to advance to the finals for the first time in five years however fell just two places out of advancing. The Rainbow Wahine, who were in 13^th in the Western Semifinals after day one, moved up two places and finished with 190 points. But it wasn't enough as UC Santa Barbara was the ninth and final team to qualify for the finals with 170 points.  
 
Each 18-team fleet completed five races on Wednesday for a total of nine races for the regatta. High winds and thunder around the area halted racing early. Louise Currie, Cole Brauer, and Megan Zamzow totaled 100 points (12^th) in the A Division. Caitlin Schadt, Annika Garrett, and Gianna Bailey finished 10^th in the B division with 90 points.
 
The UH coed team will next take the water for the LaserPerformance College Sailing Team Race Championship, May 27-29.