Annapolis, Md. – The Cardinal finished fifth at this weekend's 16-team Graham Hall Open Team Race, going 13-7 at the Navy-hosted regatta.
"I am a firm believer that a team is only as strong as their weakest link. Last weekend was a testament to our links. We left several All-Americans at home and put up a respectable showing at the most competitive event on our schedule to date," said head coach Chris Klevan. "The group who stepped up was caught off guard, a bit, by the conditions and we made some sloppy mistakes to start the event – resulting in three losses in our first four races. However, after the 1-3 start, we went 12-4 to close the event competed toe to toe with the top-2 teams in the country, both sailing at full strength."
Stanford's squad featured Vanessa Lahrkamp, Alice Schmid, Freddie Parkin, Sophie Fisher, Reade Decker, Caroline Geiger, Lucas Woodworth and Amiya Stroumza.
After a 2-4 start, the Card won nine of the next 10. After dropping races to Harvard and College of Charleston, who finished first and third on the weekend, respectively, Stanford finished with back-to-back victories over Roger Williams University and Navy.
"I am very encouraged about the work we've put in thus far," added Klevan. "I think the sky is the limit for this team."
The fifth-place result snapped a streak of eight-straight first-place finishes for the Cardinal to open up spring competition.
Next up for Stanford is a three-regatta weekend, with the team competing at the Szambecki Open Team Race, Friis Trophy Open Team Race and the PCCSC South Designate.