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.
Day two began with another long wind delay as folks on shore hoped and waited for the late sea breeze to kick in. Race Committee lowered the AP at 12:45 PM and sailors hit Long Island Sound with SSE winds around 5 to 8 knots with a building breeze throughout the day. Teams dueled it out throughout the afternoon, but the race to watch was between Stanford and Yale, as both teams were undefeated going into the race. The pair did not disappoint as boat handling, swift decision-making, and boat speed were key. Stanford started strong off the pin, controlling the left side of the course, and rounded mark 1 in a tight 1,2, 5. On the downwind, Stanford lost control of the 1,2 as constant jibing duels resulted in a foul. After rounding Mark 4, Stanford was able to use their boat speed and control of the left side of the course to get back in control of the 1,2 and was able to finish in a 1,2,5 combination. A full round-robin was complete, but there was a tie for 8th place between U.S. Naval Academy, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and the University of Pennsylvania. Therefore, a sail-off between the three schools had to occur to decide the top 8. After a fierce battle, St. Mary’s College of Maryland won and moved to the Final 8.
Will Stanford be able to keep their undefeated record of 15/0? Day three, the final day of the Open Team Race National Championship, starts Monday, May 29 at 10:00 AM. Race committee will hold a Top 8 round-robin followed by a Top 4 round-robin. Make sure to check out the live broadcast and College Sailing’s Instagram (@collegesailing) and Facebook pages.
Teams advancing to the Final 8:
- Stanford University
- Harvard University
- Yale University
- Roger Williams University
- Dartmouth College
- Brown University
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy
- St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Photos and social media provided by Media sponsor US Sailing / Lexi Pline and Ashley Dart.
