REDWOOD CITY, Calif. - Stanford claimed the first conference title of the spring season over the weekend, finishing first overall in the PCCSC Open Team Race Championship. The team also had a strong effort at the Yale Women's Team Race, securing a second regatta win on the weekend.
The Cardinal was dominant in the PCCSC event, taking first place by a wide margin. Across the two day regatta and three rounds of sailing, Stanford was a perfect 21-0.
11 of the 21 races for Stanford included a straight sweep of first, second and third.
"The 21-0 finish at the PCCSC Championship was one of collective team effort, professionalism and maturity," said head sailing coach Chris Klevan. "It was a must win event and the entire team at home showed poise through what was a long weekend of sailing."
The event win marks the 15th-straight PCCSC Coed Team Race title for the Cardinal, dating back to 2006, only excluding the canceled season in 2020.
Stanford lined up with eight sailors in Redwood City, led by skippers Michelle Lahrkamp, Chapman Petersen, Jack Baldwin, and Justin Lim. Grace Austin, Gwendolyn Donahue, Isabelle McNabb, and Lauren Taylor to command of the crew duties as well.
"Team leaders on the water, Justin Lim and Michelle Lahrkamp continue to demonstrate our values and standards as a team vying for every championship every season," added Klevan. "I am grateful to be able to watch them grow together."
Meanwhile, in the Yale Women's Team Race, Stanford battled hard and was neck and neck with two other teams in the competition. Stanford, along with Brown and Yale, each finished the weekend with an 11/3 record and winning percentages of 78.6%.
Stanford sailed against both Yale and Brown in a sailoff to decide the event winner and defeated both teams in a 1, 2, and 6 finish to secure first place overall. Yale took second in the sailoff, with Brown finishing third.
"Securing a win at what was a very competitive event affirms the hard work the team as a whole has put forth thus far this season," said Klevan. "Our roster at the regatta featured three senior crews- veterans who have come a long way since they arrived here in 2019 and three first year drivers. Such a composition of sailors suggests our team is ready to win now and that the future here is bright for years to come."
In the first two rounds, Brown lost two of its races to Stanford and one to MIT while the Cardinal fell to Yale twice and MIT once. Yale dropped both races against Brown and one against MIT as well. The final standings saw Stanford in first, followed by Yale in second and Brown in third.
Six Stanford sailors competed in New Haven, led by skippers Vanessa Lahrkamp, Sophie Fisher, and Ellie Harned. Abigail Tindall, Patricia Gerli, and AnaClare Sole also suited up for the No. 1 ranked Cardinal, handling the crew duties.
The Cardinal returns to action in three events next weekend including two more conference title opportunities. Stanford will race in the PCCSC Women's Team Race and Women's Fleet Race Championships in Santa Barbara, along with the Thompson Team Race hosted by the Coast Guard Academy.
