JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Freshman Gilda Dondona finished as national runner-up at the 2024 Janet Lutz National Singlehanded Championships when the regatta ended on Sunday afternoon. The finish was the best in school history at the event

Dondona was in contention for gold all weekend, closing out the first day in a first-place tie with Harvard's senior Sophia Montgomery with 35 aggregate points after eight races. She finished first in Saturday's first and fourth races, and also placed third twice among the 18 sailors. Only four races were contested on Sunday, with Dondona grabbing a first-place finish in the final start, but Montgomery pulled away to claim the title by eight points (49-57). 

Sophomore Pilar Cundey also qualified for the championship, moving from 17th to 16th place on the final day after posting a pair of top 12 finishes to complete the weekend. It was her first appearance at the national championships.

Since 2019, Cornell has qualified nine sailors for singlehanded nationals with Lillian Myers placing third in 2021, the previous best-ever finish. Dondona is the fifth top-five finisher for the Big Red in the event.

The Big Red will resume competition in the spring.