Most successful season in school history

When the depth of competition in College Sailing resides along the eastern coast of the USA, hopping six-hour flights from San Francisco International Airport is far from convenient. But for the Stanford team, accruing air miles proved to be another reward during the 2022-23 Season.

Simply put, this was the most successful year in Stanford sailing history. From the individual, team, to university accomplishments, the Cardinal set new high marks in every category.

Beginning in the fall, freshman Chapman Petersen captured the first men’s singlehanded championship since Emery Wagner in 2006. In the women’s division, Hallie Schiffman wasn’t far behind, taking second overall for Stanford’s best finish since 2018.

The Cardinal continued its success into the spring season, completing a clean sweep of the Pacific Coast titles. All four conference championships returned to The Farm, guaranteeing Stanford’s participation in the four national championship events as well.

The championship season began with the Cardinal hosting for the first time at home in Redwood City. The Women’s Team Race was a thrilling contest between Stanford and Yale, ultimately resulting in a victory for the Bulldogs and a second-place finish for the Cardinal.

In the very next championship opportunity, however, and the first of three straight in King’s Point, N.Y., Stanford claimed first place in the Women’s Fleet Race Championship, the first women’s sailing title in program history.

The Cardinal followed it up with a runner-up finish in the Open Team Race Championship. It was the program’s second-best finish at the event, trailing only the 1996-97 team that won the event, Stanford’s only national championship prior to the 2022-23 season.

The Cardinal concluded the season on a high note, doubling up on national championships by claiming the Open Fleet Race title. It was the first title in the event in program history and the first time Stanford topped the podium on multiple occasions in the same season.

Following the historic run of championship events, the Cardinal was named the recipient of the Leonard M. Fowle Trophy, given to the team that accrues the most championship points across the fall and spring seasons and is noted as the most successful collegiate sailing program in the country.

In a season full of firsts, Michelle Lahrkamp added another after being given the James Rousmaniere Award for Student Leadership, the first time a Stanford sailor has received the honor.

Seven sailors were named College All-Americans, led by Michelle and Vanessa Lahrkamp who earned the honor of All-American Skipper in both the women’s and open divisions. Hannah Freeman was also named a women’s All-American Skipper, while Patricia Gerli, Ellie Harned, and Abigail Tindall were named All-American Crew. Grace Austin was the seventh All-American honoree, earning Honorable Mention crew honors.

Stanford brought home plenty of accolades in conference honors as well. Vanessa Lahrkamp was named the Open Skipper of the Year and Sophie Fisher was named the Women’s Skipper of the Year. Chapman Petersen and Justin Lim each earned All-Pacific Coast Open Skipper honors, while Sophie Fisher and Michelle Lahrkamp were named All-PC Women’s Skippers, and Abigail Tindall earned All-PC Crew honors.

With a young team and a habit of setting records, the Cardinal is primed for more success in 2023-24.

Source: Stanford Athletics