Stanford University took a historic win at the 2023 Open National Championship out of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy after four days of racing on the Long Island Sound. The Open National Championship was the last of three high-caliber spring College Sailing National Championships that took place over a marathon 11 days back to back. The Cardinal won with a 13-point lead above Yale University, and Harvard University rounded out the podium in third place behind Harvard by six points.

“We’re super overwhelmed,” said Stanford A Division Skipper, Michelle Lahrkamp. “We are a predominantly female team, and we did a great job these last few days getting everything out of every day; we never gave up, we had our heads in the game the whole time. We really wanted it, and I am wearing my pink shirt for all the girls out there – you can win a National Championship!”

Yale won the Eastern Division and Georgetown won the Western Division in the Open National Semifinals out of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy after two days of semifinal racing. 32 of the best collegiate teams in the nation came into the championship on Tuesday and the top 18 will take to the water today for Finals and a chance at the 2023 national title. 

After three days of racing on Long Island Sound, the Harvard Crimson took first place in The Open Team Race National Championship out of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The final day of the Championship delivered more challenging conditions with shifting breeze and large swells and winds starting out of the north from 10-15 knots.

“Winning feels amazing, especially coming in freshman year and having an amazing support system, coaches, and senior role models,” said Mitchell Callahan ‘26, skipper for Harvard University. “I think that really helped us peak at the right time. Our strategy was to take one race at a time, keep our heads down, and block out all the noise. We had to focus, do our jobs, and communicate.”

Stanford University currently holds first place at the 2023 Open Team Race Nationals after two days of racing and with one remaining at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Due to the low-pressure system in the southern U.S., winds have been quite trying in the Long Island Sound.

Day one of the Open Team Race National Championship started with north winds from 4 to 6 knots. After logging about eighteen races, the wind shut down and sent all teams in for a long wind delay. Schools joined in for other forms of team activities – cornhole competitions and croquet games. Sailors were sent back out to the racecourse at 3:30 PM and raced until after sunset. With all women skippers and crew, Stanford University took first place with an 8/0 record. Yale finished day one in second place with Harvard following in third.