ST. PETERSBURG -- It’s 6:30 a.m., and the sun is beginning to rise over St. Petersburg.

While most college students are still sleeping, USF senior Rachel Yannelli is getting ready to set sail.

“I go out sailing and I’m like, alright, what do I need to do to have a good day,” Yannelli said.

Her day consists of a lot.

“She took a very heavy academic load, and she’s been a three-time captain of the team,” USF women’s sailing coach Allison Jolly said. “She also is our strength and conditioning coach here on the St. Pete campus.”

Not to mention, two part-time jobs and internships.

“I’m used to getting up at 5:30 or 6 every day now,” said Yannelli.

But Rachel doesn’t mind – she’s doing what she loves most.

“You’re in an environment where everyone is pushing you to do the best that you can,” Yannelli explained.

Sailing is a passion she discovered at just 10 years old.

“I like the competitiveness, I like the strategy, and just figuring it out and the fact that our races are only 20 minutes so, you have a bad race, well, you have another one in 5 minutes to come back from it.”

In her four years on USF’s sailing team, she’s developed into a true leader. Yannelli has competed in every national championship since her freshman year.

“No matter what you ask her to do, she’s willing, able, ready to go and she didn’t come here as a rock star and that’s what’s been even more interesting to see -- her development over the last four years,” Jolly said.

Sailing is mentally and physically demanding. The biggest variable of all is the weather. But Yannelli has dealt with another variable – 17 different skippers.

“If you played tennis it would be like having a double partner, 17 ones that you had to adjust to and sometimes, it’s on the same day,” Jolly explained. “Skippers are headcases, they have different styles and different things that they want. And so to be able to adapt to that — to the different person and the different driver — is really unique.”  

Her adaptability is rare. As crew, she’s always in motion – using her body weight to help steer and making adjustments to the front sail.

“I think that it is her personality — she is just so outgoing and so willing to get the job done no matter what it takes,” Jolly said.

Yannelli couldn’t imagine her college career without it. USF’s sailing team is what drove her decision to leave New Jersey and attend college in Florida.

“We kind of build a family. It’s really cool and unique because you’re never going to be in this really competitive environment again, and with people your age, doing what you love,” Yannelli said.

For Yannelli, sailing isn’t about the individuals accolades, it’s about a sense of community – making the early wake-up calls and late study night all worthwhile.