Stanford University won the College Sailing Women’s National Championship hosted by United States Merchant Marine Academy after one day of racing due to weather. Yale University took second place, 27 points behind Stanford, and Boston College rounded out the podium 15 points behind Yale.
“We came so close and just missed it last year,” said Abigail Tindall, a senior crew for Stanford, through tears. “Then we just missed it again this year at the Women’s Team Race Championship. To get the win just feels amazing. I’m graduating, so this is a great moment after working so hard and proving ourselves here.”
A strong northerly breeze with choppy conditions kicked off day one. Unfortunately, as forecasted, the breeze dropped throughout the day. Sailors kept their heads out of the boat and on a swivel to anticipate the oscillations coming through Long Island Sound. Race Committee was challenged with course adjustments and a postponement on shore but were able to get off ten races in both divisions after the delay. Stanford University, Yale University, and Boston College held 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, respectively.
Long Island Sound did not show favorable conditions when the sailors and coaches arrived for day two. Competitors were held ashore all day under the AP flag, entertaining themselves with crocheting, team swims, and deciding on the ultimate pump-up song. Race Committee finally called the day at 4:15 PM. Because three races in each division constitute a regatta, Stanford University won College Sailing Women’s National Championship off their day one scores alone.
“Zack and I are really proud of the team,” said Bill Healy, Associate Head Coach of Yale. “We all obviously wished that we could have sailed today but it wasn’t meant to be. Stanford sailed great and they earned it in the incredibly tight racing yesterday. USMMA has done an incredible job and Amanda Clark’s team was amazing keeping up with the changing conditions.”
When asked about her older sister and A Division skipper counterpart on the Stanford team, Vanessa Lahrkamp said “I am a little overwhelmed but very lucky. I may have one sister, but I have so many sisters on the team and I’m so grateful to have them. I want to be just like my sister.” Vanessa won B Division by 30 points with crews Abigail Tindall ‘23 and Grace Austin ‘24.
After interviews, the Stanford lady sailors took to the College Sailing tradition of jumping off the dock to celebrate their win.
Check out the Full Results of the College Sailing Women’s National Championship. Live-streamed archive from Day One and Day Two on ICSA’s Youtube channel.
Tomorrow kicks off the Open Team Race National Championship. Check out the live-stream event with Chris Love Productions and FlyPack, NY complete with onboard dinghy cameras capturing audio, drones for the birds-eye views, live tracking, and more!
Quantum Women's Sailor of the Year:
Carmen Cowles, Yale University
Women’s All American Skippers
Carmen Cowles, 2025, Yale University
Emma Cowles, 2025, Yale University
Hannah Freeman, 2024, Stanford University
Bridget Green, 2025, Cornell University
Maddie Hawkins, 2024, Dartmouth College
Dana Haig, 2022, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Michelle Lahrkamp, 2023, Stanford University
Vanessa Lahrkamp, 2026, Stanford University
Mia Nicolosi, 2025, Yale University
Colleen O’Brien, 2024 Boston College
Honorable Mention Women’s All American Skippers
Caroline Bayless, 2023, Brown University
Emily Bornarth, 2024, US Coast Guard Academy
Eva Blauvelt, 2025, US Naval Academy
Cordelia Burn, 2025, Harvard University
Sarah Burn, 2024, Harvard University
Piper Holthus, 2025, Georgetown University
Elizabeth Kaplan, 2023, Bowdoin College
Blaire McCarthy, 2023, Brown University
Michaela O’Brien, 2024, Boston College
Ciara Rodriguez-Horan, 2022, Tulane University
The complete awards lineup will be released upon completion of the College Sailing Open Fleet Race National Championship.
Photos provided by Ashley Dart and media sponsor US Sailing / Lexi Pline.