Stanford wins Women’s Team Race Nationals

Stanford University topped the 15-team field to win the 2026 College Women’s Team Race National Championship, held April 26-27 in New Orleans, LA. This was the team’s third consecutive title, posting a 21-1 record with Ellie Harned ’26/ Kit Harned ’27, Sophie Fisher ’26/ Piper Blackband ’28, and Vanessa Lahrkamp ’26/ Alice Schmid ’27.

“The team sailed really well,” said Stanford Head Coach Chris Klevan. “The competition was extremely prepared and polished, the conditions made every race a challenge until the finish. Despite this, we maintained our poise and managed the challenge with grace.”

All teams competed in a round robin stage before the top six advanced for five more races, with the Cardinal staying perfect before dropping their final race of that round. The top four than faced off for a final round in which Stanford went undefeated,  with Yale University (18-4) retaining second and Brown University (13-9) in third. Racing was held in 2024 Zim 420Es and 2025 Zim FJs on Lake Pontchartrain.

“While fifteen teams added some consternation about getting all 126 races in for the women’s event, the team assembled by College Sailing and Tulane meant completing the format was never in doubt,” said PRO Kyle Asaad. “The challenging conditions made for excellent racing, and no team was ever completely out of a race.”

The 2025-26 College season concludes at the Women’s Dinghy Nationals on May 20-23 and Open Dinghy Nationals on May 27-30, with both events hosted by the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg, FL.

Event details – Results

Final Results
1. Stanford University (21/1)
2. Yale University (18/4)
3. Brown University (13/9)
4. Harvard University (12/10)
5. Tufts University (10/9)
6. Dartmouth College (9/10)
7. Cornell University (8/6)
8. College of Charleston (8/6)
9. Georgetown University (7/7)
10. Roger Williams University (7/7)
11. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (5/9)
12. Bowdoin College (4/10)
13. Tulane University (2/12)
14. St. Mary’s College of Maryland (1/13)
15. University of Michigan (1/13)

2025-26 Season

2025 Fall National Championships:
November 8-9 – Women’s and Open Singlehanded Nationals – Old Dominion Univ / Norfolk, VA
November 15-16 – Match Race Nationals – St Petersburg Yacht Club / St Petersburg, FL

2026 Spring National Championships:
April 23-25 – Open Team Race Nationals – Tulane Univ / New Orleans, LA
April 26-27 – Women’s Team Race Nationals – Tulane Univ / New Orleans, LA
May 20-23 – Women’s Dinghy Nationals – Univ of South Florida / St. Petersburg, FL
May 27-30 – Open Dinghy Nationals – Univ of South Florida / St. Petersburg, FL

Source: Delaney Conlogue, ICSA Communications Committee