Stanford University’s sailing team is preparing to compete in two major regattas this weekend: the ICSA Singlehanded Championships and the West Coast Championships. The program has a notable history at the ICSA Singlehanded event, with five individual champions—three men and two women. The most recent title was secured by Chapman Petersen in 2022.
Last weekend, Stanford achieved first place at three separate regattas, including the PCCSC Women’s Fall Championship, Top-9 Invite, and Nickerson Trophy. These results are part of a strong start to the 2025-26 season, during which Stanford has finished in the top two at 17 out of 18 regattas and claimed nine victories.
The team’s performance follows what was described as its most successful season ever in 2024-25. During that campaign, Stanford captured three national titles and received its second Leonard M. Fowle Trophy. In total, Stanford now holds eight national championships—five women’s titles and three coed—with seven of those won over the past three seasons under head coach Chris Klevan.
Many athletes who contributed to last year’s achievements have returned for this season. Vanessa Lahrkamp was unanimously named Quantum Women’s Sailor of the Year for a second straight year; she joins Dartmouth’s Dierdre Lambert as one of only two multiple-time winners of this award. Alice Schmid received recognition as Mitchell M. Brindley Crew of the Year, while Thomas Sitzmann was a finalist for the Everett Morris Memorial Trophy for Open Sailor of the Year honors.
Eight members of Stanford’s sailing team earned ICSA All-America status last season. Lahrkamp was selected as an All-American skipper in both Women’s and Open divisions; Ellie Harned also earned multiple All-America honors on both Skipper and Crew teams for Women’s events. Sitzmann picked up his second All-American award as an Open Skipper; Sophie Fisher joined him with her first career selection on the Women’s Skipper team.
Schmid and Piper Blackband completed First Team All-America honors among crews from Stanford, while Kit Harned and Ashtyn Tierney were given honorable mentions.
As they prepare for upcoming competitions this weekend, Stanford aims to continue building on their recent success under Coach Klevan’s leadership.
