NEWPORT, R.I. – The University of Hawai'i coed sailing team completed its first day of competition at the 2019 ICSA Gill Coed National Championship in 11th place in the Eastern Semifinals.
 
A total of 36 schools, divided into two 18-team regattas, took to the water in cold and windy conditions out of Sail Newport. The race committee was able to get off eight races in each division.
 
The semifinals conclude Wednesday with the top nine teams from each group advancing to the finals round – an 18-boat regatta, which will take place on the last two days of the championship, May 30-31. With 149 points, UH is within reach of securing the ninth place spot and hope to advance to the finals for the first time since 2005. Tufts currently maintains ninth place at 124 points.
 
Sailing for the Rainbows are Michael Pacholski, Devon Stapleton and Samuel Patton in the A Division and Patrick Wilkinson and Annika Garrett in the B Division. The A team totaled 84 points, good for 14th place in their division after one day of sailing. The B team tallied 65 points and are currently eighth in their division.
 
Fans can follow Wednesday' action via livescoring or a livestream on the College Sailing Facebook page.