Despite their simple goal to just have fun, three local women won the Annual Women’s Trilogy Regatta sponsored by Point Yacht Club.
Jennifer Grant of Destin, Kerrie Serpa of Crestview, and Ashley Sukalski of Fort Walton Beach won the Fast Women Regatta at Point Yacht Club, the Bikini Regatta at Navy Yacht Club and the Race for the Roses at Pensacola Beach Yacht Club.
Only the Race for the Roses is required to have only women; mixed-gender crews were allowed for the other two races.
Their boat, the 30-year-old Eve N Keeled, was the smallest and the slowest in many of the races, according to a rating system.
Although they didn’t have much real practice time, the women have been sailing with each other for years.
“We’ve become a family,” Sukalski said.
With a makeshift tradition of drinking mimosas the morning of the race, the women’s main strategies were to do things properly and to enjoy the experience.
Even after winning the first two races, the team was shocked to learn they won the trilogy.
“After the start, you don’t know whether you’re ahead or behind,” Grant said.
Their names are the first Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club members to be etched into the trilogy trophy.
“All that we’re coming away from this with are some pictures and new memories,” Grant said.
The team hopes their victory inspires other women — and their families — to try sailing.
“You want to win,” Grant said. “You want to do well, but the cool thing is to get people to come out and learn.”
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Lauren Delgado at 850-315-4445 or ldelgado@nwfdailynews.com.Follow her on Twitter @LaurenDnwfdn.
