Women's Fleet Race National Championhips

Day 1 started with sunny skies and a healthy 12 knot easterly, but unfortunately a missing ring-ding and mismatched rudder pintles resulted in a 15 minute delay in race 1A. As predicted, the wind dropped throughout the morning, and race 3B was completed in a dying breeze at just 4 knots. Boats were sent back to the beach and an extended lunch break was enjoyed while waiting for the seabreeze.

Like clockwork, the seabreeze arrived at 1:30pm and races 4A and 4B were run in SW winds at 10-11 knots. The predicted afternoon thunderstorms also arrived as scheduled, and while they passed well east of the racing area, they forced the wind around to a SE direction. The course was reset and 2 more races were held in each division before the storm's energy exhausted the last of the breeze. Racing was paused in the hopes that the seabreeze would make a comeback, but by 5pm boats were sent in for the day, ending on race 6b.

All races were W4's, averaging 20 minutes in length. Three requests for redress were filed, all denied. Two protests were filed, one was withdrawn and one resulted in a DSQ.

The scores are still close with Yale, Stanford, and Bowdoin claiming the first 3 positions at the end of Day 1. With the best breeze predicted early in the morning, the first warning signal has been moved up to 0900 for the final day of racing to determine the national champion.

Another morning of brisk easterlies, 9-12 knots with occasional gusts to 15 and moderate chop on Tampa Bay. Racing began with 7A and concluded with 12B before fading winds in the early afternoon forced boats to shore. This was followed by a long wait for a seabreeze that never materialized, however a 5-6 knot northerly offered hope for at least a one and one. Alas, midway through race 13B racing was abandoned, thus race 13A was discarded.

All races were W4's averaging 20 minutes in length.

Two requests for redress; one granted for a shredded mainsheet, one denied for a jib halyard shackle failure. Three protests were filed; two dismissed, one DSQ.

At the end of the day, accompanied by a spectacular lightning storm, the winner emerged: Stanford University. They were followed by Yale in second and Harvard in third. Congratulations to all.

Many, many thanks to the Sponsors, the sailors, the SkyBeach Resort, the judges, the PRO, and the countless volunteers for the success of this event.

The following chart shows the relative rank of the teams as of the race indicated. Note that the races are ordered by number, then division, which may not represent the order in which the races were actually sailed.

The first place team as of a given race will always be at the top of the chart. The spacing from one team to the next shows relative gains/losses made from one race to the next. You may hover over the data points to display the total score as of that race.