Van Empel to Compete in National Sailing Championship
The University of South Florida sailor earned an at large bid to the national finals held this November in New York.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Softball
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University of South Florida sailor Ghislaine van Empel is set to compete in the Singlehanded National Championship in Rye, New York, on November 7 and 8, 2026. She qualified for the event after securing an at large invitation based on her collegiate sailing resume.
Why it matters
The invitation recognizes Van Empel's performance at the SAISA Singlehanded Conference Championship where she secured three consecutive race victories. Her participation continues the success of the USF sailing program, which has maintained a presence in national finals for most of the last decade.
Van Empel finished 3rd overall in the conference standings after 9 completed contests, placing just 1 point behind the runner up and 5 points behind the winner. The program has reached the national finals 13 times in the past 14 seasons.
The players
Ghislaine van Empel
A competitive sailor representing the University of South Florida.
Allison Jolly
The head coach of the University of South Florida sailing program who has led the team since 2004.
University of South Florida
A public research university based in St. Petersburg that hosts a prominent collegiate sailing program.
The details
Van Empel earned her spot by returning to the ILCA 6 boat class for the regional event. A selection committee granted the bid by evaluating her season results and overall collegiate sailing history.
Timeline
1988: Allison Jolly won an Olympic Gold Medal.
1997: The USF sailing team was founded.
2004: Allison Jolly began leading the USF sailing program.
2025: USF captured a SAISA conference title.
November 7-8, 2026: The Singlehanded National Championship competition takes place.
Season Trajectory
Van Empel's qualification extends the University of South Florida's legacy of consistent national competition. This success maintains the program's standing as a frequent contender in the national finals, a trend observed in 13 of the last 14 seasons.
Van Empel will represent the program in the ILCA 6 boat class during the upcoming two-day regatta. Her performance will contribute to the ongoing season statistics for the USF sailing team as they look to extend their streak of national final appearances.
The takeaway
Qualifying for a national championship via an at large bid highlights the importance of maintaining consistent performance throughout the entire collegiate season. Student-athletes can improve their chances by securing high overall standings in major conference events.
Further reading
Learn more about local collegiate sports by visiting the Softball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sports Talk Florida - N.
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