Raiders open sailing season with dominant victory at SAISA #1

The Ransom Everglades Sailing Team made a statement in its first competition of the season, racing to a dominant victory at SAISA #1 in Fort Lauderdale. The Raiders won the eight-race varsity event by an impressive 28 points, securing first place and qualifying for the Atlantic Coast Championships. Competing in hot conditions with winds ranging from 6–13 knots, the Raiders displayed the consistency and composure that have been emphasized throughout the early season. Leading the varsity effort were Ria Bhandari '28 Sander Block '28, Carmela Brana '28, Ciaran Clingan '29, Cecilia de Andrade '29, Eve Kingdon '29, Brayden Zawyer '28, and Thomas Zaydon '28, who combined for a series of strong finishes to put the Raiders comfortably atop the standings. For Bhandari, the team's success was the result of the work put in long before race day.

The Raiders' success extended well beyond the varsity fleet, as Ransom Everglades also showcased the depth of its program in the Junior Varsity division, placing second and fourth. The strong JV performances came from Felicia Bland ’30, Simone Carrasco '27, Erin Cunningham '30, Connor Jordan ’30, Lily Kingdon '29, Pablo Munoz Montes '29, Sabine Wolfensberger '27, and Lyla Zawyer '30. The impressive showing from the JV sailors was particularly encouraging as the Raiders continue to develop the next generation of the program. With younger sailors contributing at a high level and the varsity squad already securing a spot at the Atlantic Coast Championships, Ransom Everglades has plenty of momentum heading into the remainder of the season. The Raiders couldn't have asked for a better start to the campaign—and with SAISA #1 in the books, the team has established itself as a force to watch throughout the season.