SAILING
President MITCHEL SANFORD | mgsanford@ucsd.edu
Treasurer BRENDAN O'CONNOR | b2oconnor@ucsd.edu
Vice President MAIA TURNER | m8turner@ucsd.edu
Instagram 
| @ucsdsailing
The UCSD sailing team is a student-run sports club that exists to represent the school in college regattas throughout the state and across the country, as well as to introduce students to what we believe is the greatest sport in the world: sailboat racing.
As members of the Pacific Coast Collegiate Sailing Conference (PCCSC), we compete in co-ed and women's events about every other weekend during the school year. We sail in CFJs, 14-foot, two-person dinghies that are simple enough for beginners, but still provide a good platform for racers to hone their boat-handling and tactics with.
While we are a racing team, a large part of our function is to introduce students to the sport of sailboat racing. Sailing is a sport that is easy to remain involved with after graduation. Many of our alumni continue to race after college, including some who learned with the team. Sailing team is not only a way to learn a new sport, it is a way to meet new people, travel about the state, and get involved with UCSD outside of the lecture hall.
Our team sails in the beautiful Mission Bay, about ten minutes south of campus. We keep our six CFJs at the Mission Bay Yacht Club, a club with a strong emphasis on dinghy sailing. Practice is an integral part of membership on the team. Typically, the team practices two or three times a week from 11:00AM to 2:00PM. Rides are provided for students without transportation. As with any skill, those who practice most will improve faster and be more likely to be selected to compete in regattas. For novice sailors, weekend clinics are held to teach new skills and gain familiarity with our boats.
Whether you are a born and raised racer, or have never seen the ocean before, the UCSD sailing team can make a great addition to your college life. Friends, competition, and excitement await!
NEWS AND RESULTS
Stay tuned for updates about upcoming events!
4/11-12/26 Charlie Dole PCCSC Women’s Fleet Race Championship
On Saturday, racing started on time at 10:45 a.m. in steady 9–12 kt southeasterlies with consistent rain and chop. The breeze trended down throughout the day, with the final race finishing just before 5:00 p.m. in 4–8 kts. With close racing across the fleet, the scores stayed tight and the regatta remained highly competitive.
On Sunday, a lack of wind in the morning pushed the first start to about 11:30 a.m. As a westerly filled and built, conditions turned into slow, high-pressure racing with minimal chop and ~6–8 kt oscillations that made both sides of the course playable. Stanford began to separate from the fleet, while WWU, UW, UCSB, and Hawai‘i traded positions in a close fight for the remaining automatic nationals berth. In the end, despite a DSQ, host Western Washington secured second, with Hawai‘i, UW, and UCSB close behind. The final race finished just before 3:00 p.m., completing 10 races for the weekend.
4/4-5/26 UCSD Sailing’s First Out-of-Conference Regatta in Many Years !
On Saturday, UC San Diego joined a strong fleet at the 10th Annual SailPack Oriental Intercollegiate Regatta, hosted at Bow to Stern Boating Center. The weekend with a warm community welcome and breakfast from local sailing organizations. Racing began around 10 A.M. on the Neuse River in the light air (5-7 mph) that built into a steadier WSW 10-15 mph. The shifting breeze and chop demanded sharp boat speed and tactics. After three A-division rotations (9 races) and two B-division (6races), NC State led the scoreboard, with Queens, UC San Diego, and Jacksonville close behind. The day ended with the traditional pig pickin’ BBQ and live music – classic SailPack hospitality and camaraderie.
On Sunday, a Small Craft Advisory and 30+ mph gusts pushed racing into the protected waters of Smith Creek. The heavy-air “survival” conditions produced frequent capsizes and gear strain, rewarding teams that stayed composed and recovered quickly. After additional racing to close out both divisions, NC State held on for the overall win – its first at SailPack Oriental since 2022.
3/28-29/26 - High-Wind Sailing in the Beautiful Hawaii
On Saturday, strong, gusting winds greeted the sailors, creating fast-paced and physically demanding racing conditions throughout the day. Despite the challenging breeze, the energy remained high, and participants embraced the opportunity to compete in such dynamic conditions. A total of 10 races were completed, testing consistency, boat handling, and teamwork across all divisions. After a long day on the water, the sailors gathered onshore to relax and refuel, enjoying pizza from Papa John’s while sharing highlights from the day’s racing and building camaraderie among teams.
Sunday brought another day of excellent sailing conditions, with steady winds complemented by clear skies and warm temperatures reaching around 80 degrees. The favorable weather allowed for a smooth continuation of the competition, and six additional races were completed in each division to conclude the round-robin format. Sailors maintained strong focus and endurance through the final races, capping off a full weekend of competitive sailing marked by both challenging conditions and memorable experiences on and off the water.
3/21-22/26 - Sailing in the San Francisco Bay for the Annual South Designates Regatta
Hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club, the regatta provided sailors with the opportunity to compete in iconic waters near the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, facing heavy winds throughout both Saturday and Sunday. While the sun made frequent appearances, the conditions remained true to Northern California’s characteristically brisk and chilly bay weather. Strong tidal currents added another layer of difficulty, as the constant movement of water in and out of the bay created complex racing conditions that required careful strategy and adaptability. Despite these challenges, the team embraced the experience and gained valuable time competing in a uniquely demanding environment.
On Saturday evening, the yacht club hosted a dinner for participants, offering a chance to relax and connect after a long day on the water. Although there were some logistical challenges related to the race course and rotation schedules, the event ultimately served as a meaningful and rewarding test of skill, resilience, and teamwork.
3/20/26 Sailing in the San Francisco Bay for the Annual South Designates Regatta
Hosted by the St. Francis Yacht Club, the regatta provided sailors with a memorable and demanding racing experience in one of the most iconic sailing venues in the world. Competitors had the rare opportunity to navigate courses set against the dramatic backdrops of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island, adding both visual spectacle and strategic complexity to the competition.
Racing conditions over both Saturday and Sunday were quintessentially Northern California. While clear skies and sunshine offered moments of warmth, strong winds and brisk bay temperatures kept sailors on edge throughout the weekend. The heavy breeze created fast-paced, physically demanding races that required constant adjustment and sharp teamwork.
One of the most challenging aspects of the regatta was the powerful current running through the San Francisco Bay. Driven by significant tidal movement, the flow of water in and out of the bay tested sailors’ tactical awareness and boat handling, as even small miscalculations could lead to major positional losses. Despite these demanding conditions, the team embraced the challenge and gained valuable experience competing in such a dynamic environment.
Off the water, the event also offered opportunities for camaraderie and hospitality. On Saturday evening, the yacht club hosted participants for a well-prepared dinner, allowing teams to relax, reflect, and connect after a long day of racing.
Although the regatta presented logistical challenges, including complications with race course management and rotation schedules, it ultimately served as a meaningful and rigorous test of the team’s resilience and adaptability. The event stood out as both a competitive and rewarding experience, leaving a lasting impression on all involved.
2/28/26 - 2 Days of Sailing in the Desert: ASU's Cactus Cup!
This is the third year ASU has hosted their 'Cactus Cup' regatta on Lake Pleasant, and it has been a huge favorite for the UCSD team. It is one of two events where the team camps, but unlike the camping regatta in Santa Barbara, all the teams that are racing camp in the same spot. This created a little community of tents where people mingled with members of other teams, and it really felt like connecting to a larger sailing community.
That sense of community continued during the racing; another unique part of Cactus Cup is that the teams rotate off of pontoon boats packed with all the teams. In periods of postponement due to light wind, everyone in the fleet was swimming in the water, hanging out on the boats, and relaxing in the hot Arizona sun.
While the vibes were fantastic, the racing was quite the challenge. Wind can only be described as "non-existent" for most of Saturday and Sunday. Both days experienced long, multi-hour postponements, and when enough wind picked up to race, it was still only 2-5 kts. Despite that, Brendan and Sophie sailed excellently, getting two first-places on Saturday. Bella and Aneska also got a first place finish!
In general, the team was frustrated with the light wind and the unpredictable sailing. Thankfully, the great energy of all the teams made the weekend worth it. ASU sent everybody home with a little live cactus to thank them for coming! Next year's Cactus cup can't come soon enough!
2/14/26 - Attending Stanford's Competitive Women's Regatta
The UCSD Sailing Team sent four women to Redwood City on February 14-15 to compete at the 2026 Bryson Women’s Regatta hosted by Stanford University. This event was Grade 2, bringing in the most competitive women's teams in our conference. They arrived at the boat park a bit before report time at 11:00 on Saturday, and almost immediately set off to sail for their 11:30 first warning. The wind was particularly stubborn this day; they saw shifts in wind direction of over 180 degrees, with the wind speed varying heavily. This meant they had to stay on their toes and always be prepared to maneuver in accordance with the constant changes they saw on the race course. Stanford Sailing Coach, Chris Klevan, even remarked, “Running racing today on the Redwood Creek was akin to a sharp stick to the eye. I imagine sailing the races was only slightly better”. In these incredibly tricky conditions, one of UCSD’s boats won two out of seven of the races! Aside from those races, the Tritons also had some races where they scored pretty deep, but they held high spirits and learned from those mistakes. The Tritons ended up in seventh out of eight university teams at the end of day one, but were looking forward to pushing for a better day of racing on Sunday.
The second day of racing was a complete new transition; the Tritons even sailed in a different class of boat. They were sailing 420E’s this day, and multiple sailors had never seen these boats before this regatta. It was a breezy day, with the wind speed over 25kts at times (that's over 28 miles per hour!). While the team didn't have as much experience in the high breeze due to San Diego’s light wind nature, they absolutely crushed it. They put forth such good effort, both physically in holding the boat down in such wind and mentally under the pressure of the races being so quick and condensed with other boats. The Triton teams consistently placed in the top half and passed three more teams on Sunday, finishing fourth out of eight universities. This marked a historic record of the best they have ever placed at this event, and the team is looking forward to their next big women’s event in April.
2/7-8/26 - A Surprisingly Windy, Exciting Regatta in Morro Bay
Wind conditions were predicted to be just 5–6 knots both Saturday and Sunday, so it was quite a surprise when, on Saturday morning, hats were flying off in the parking lot. Conditions grew even windier over the next two hours, resulting in quite a few capsizes in the fleet. It proved to be excellent racing conditions, though—sailors were challenged and having the time of their lives.
Morro Bay, located just northwest of San Luis Obispo, is a truly interesting venue. The iconic Morro Rock—a remnant of a long-extinct volcano—looms in the distance. The race course itself presents unique challenges, as it must be set up around the numerous keelboats tethered in the narrow bay. In addition, just west of the race course, the water becomes so shallow that the three-foot centerboards of the FJ boats can get stuck in the sand. These obstacles—along with the current—only add to the excitement of the racing.
The wind completely died around 3 p.m., and the final JV A race of the day was scrapped when it became impossible to move around the course. The boats were packed up with hopes that stronger wind would return on Sunday. One of the favorite traditions of the Mustang Regatta is that the SLO team treats everyone to dinner immediately after racing. Sailors enjoyed burgers and chips while refueling for the next day.
Sunday, thankfully, brought strong gusts once again and another day of exciting racing. For some sailors, it was their first regatta. They rose to the challenge of the demanding conditions, and overall, the team performed very well.
Racing concluded around 2 p.m. for JV and 3 p.m. for Varsity. The team packed up quickly and headed home, already looking forward to next year’s Mustang Regatta.
1/24/26 - The Jeff Simon Memorial Regatta 
Jeff Simon was a UCSD alum who passed away from cancer, and ever since, UCSD sailing has been working with his family to put on this regatta every year. It is a celebration of sailing, as well as a fundraiser for three nonprofits the team selects each year. This year, everyone who came also went home with the Jeff Simon Regatta 2026 t-shirt, designed by UCSD’s very own Diana Vins, and gifted by Simon's family.
This event was a great success, both administratively and competitively. This years' leadership had already put on one regatta; the Frosh/Soph Regatta, in the fall, so they were ready for this one. The race committee all showed up on time and Audra, a UCSD alum, was head of RC for the first time – and she did an excellent job!
Conditions Saturday were pretty perfect for many of the races. Decent 8-10 knots, consistent from the north-west, made for some competitive races. The wind died down twice during the day to about 2-3 knots, leaving racers slowly chugging around the race course.
Sunday was even better; to quote Triton sailor Tom Murphy, it was "about the best conditions you can ask for." Steady, strong wind all day, sunny skies: a perfect San Diego sailing experience.
UCSD’s racers sailed pretty well! For some who joined in the fall, this was just their first or second regatta. They got out there and sailed hard, showing what they have learned through all of their practices. There were 39 boats on the start line, making this hectic even for the most experienced sailors, but the extra challenge was fun!
1/17/26 - An honor to sail at University of Hawaii's Peter Wenner Rainbow Invite
The Peter Wenner Rainbow Invite is a highlight for the team every year. It is a celebratory event the Tritons send some of their seniors to: members who have sailed with passion and done what they could to give back to the team.
This regatta is thrown in honor of Peter Wenner, a University of Hawaii student who died tragically in a sailing accident during his time in undergrad. The team learned a little about him from the UH coach; he was apparently full of energy and always up to some mischief, connecting with and inspiring people along the way. This event was really about connection; the Tritons got the chance to race against and chat with teams from all over the US, and even two teams from Canada.
Day 1 served up some challenging conditions for the sailors. Wind was heavy, around 20 knots for some of the day, but that wasn't the only challenge. There were frequent wind shifts that made navigating the course tricky. Around the windward mark, there was also significant current from the outflow of the river, which tripped up many sailors trying to make the lay line. Still, sailing was fun, and the day was wrapped up with a barbecue, much to the delight of the tired sailors.
Sunday, the second day, saw much lighter wind. There was still enough to run a few races, but around 2:30pm, the wind started dying to the point where moving, much less racing, was becoming difficult. Race committee decided to call it a day and helped tow boats in to the dock. After a brief awards ceremony, the sailors headed out to get packed up and fly home!
The chance to sail in Hawaii is such an honor, and the Triton sailors took advantage of every hour they had on the island, sailing and exploring as much as time would allow. They are already excited for next year!
1/3-4/26 Wind and Rain at the 2026 Rosebowl Regatta
The 2026 Rosebowl brought with it wind this year but also quite a bit of rain. The breeze was southeast to south-southeast oscillating throughout the day and ranging from 5 to 14 knots. Current was present sweeping out the LA river from rainfall outflow making laylines slightly more tricky to call. The shifts were fairly long phased as fronts came through. Despite getting soaked, it was a great day on the water for being out in January. Racing started Saturday at roughly noon and was completed around 4:30pm due to daylight issues. 4 races were completed in both divisions.
Day 2 of the Rosebowl had a similar forecast of rain even as the sun broke through for an hour or so early on in the morning. Unfortunately, by the time the sailors hit the water, the rain began and conditions ranged similarly to Saturday, albeit with an on the water postponement as wind limits dropped below the required minimum. Due to some major shifts, the previously mentioned postponement, and some difficulties getting the races off via general recalls, there were only two races completed in each division. Regardless, it was a great regatta and a lot of fun to have so many different conferences sailing together.
11/15/25 - One of the most hectic weekends in the course of UCSD sailing
history!
This year's Santa Barbara Open regatta was one the Triton team will be sure to remember. This event is one they go big on every year, this time being no exception; UCSD took over 35 sailors! Another unique aspect of this regatta is that the team camps at Lake Cachuma; or at least, they tried to.
It rained nonstop from the time they got there until they left. This was the heaviest rain Santa Barbara has seen in over 100 years. Tents flooded, gear got soaked, clothes got wet - it seemed like the Tritons would never be dry again. But the racing on Saturday proved to be fun, at least for the first rotation. After a short on-shore postponement due to light wind, A rotation got out on the water and ran two good races. B rotation got out there and was met with some great wind as well. However, that was the last of the good wind for the rest of the weekend.
JV A rotation was stuck out on the water for an hour and a half before there was enough wind to run a race; and even then, it was such light wind that at points, it almost looked like the racers were sitting still in the water. Conditions stayed that way until race committee called it a day around 3:30pm in the afternoon. It was about this time that the rain went from heavy to extra heavy, pelting the sailors as they slowly drifted back into the harbor.
Unfortunately, conditions did not get better Sunday, as the wind stayed incredibly light all day. The frustration was evident in every racer; this was not a regatta where the Tritons got to show off their skills. The team was pretty disappointed in how they did, but considering how many strange factors were at play, they've decided to put the event behind them and start preparing for their more intense racing season during winter quarter!
11/8/25 - An excellent showing for UCSD at this year's West Coast Champs
The Tritons’ commodore described this event as "the best he has seen UCSD perform in [his] years here." UCSD’s top sailors got to show off their skills on their home stage in this championship event.
This is not an easy event; teams send out their best pairs to compete at the Tritons’ home Mission Bay Yacht Club. Day one started off with a chilly and shifty southwest breeze. Light breeze and strong current made for a tactical day on the water, rewarding teams who stayed patient and connected the dots. PRO Doug Hart and his team of Aztec volunteers were able to get four races off in each division before daylight (and breeze) faded. After a mentally exhausting day of racing, the fleet was welcomed by a BBQ by the beach. No protests were filed.
But Sunday had the conditions everyone had come for. Consistent, strong wind, with blue skies and a day of excellent racing.
Summing up the scores from both days, UCSD placed 6th out of the 17 teams that came to compete. This is a great showing of growth, especially since their top sailors have been a bit disappointed in their performance in the last couple events. The Tritons are hoping to continue this trend in future competitions!
10/31/25 - West Coast Championship Interconference Regatta: Fun Sailing and Excellent Performance
UC San Diego sailing enjoyed two great days of sailing on Monterey Bay. Winds started out light on Saturday and slowly built to a calm 7 knots. The Triton sailors performed well, battling in the top of the fleet getting a top 5 finish.
On Sunday, winds were more consistent, and the race committee was able to get off another 4 races in A and B. UC San Diego improved their results including a 1st place by Brendan O'Connor and Sophia Whitney-Miller.
Thank you to Santa Cruz for hosting a great event and the O'Connor family for hosting all of the sailors!
10/18/25 - Stoney Burke: The drive was worth it!
On Friday, 9 of the Tritons’ sailors braved the long drive up to SF to compete in the Stoney Burke regatta hosted by UC Berkeley. Even though one car got in at 1am, everyone was up and ready to sail early Saturday morning, and the beautiful venue was enough to make it worth the trip.
As for the sailing, the team was super impressed with how everyone did. In particular, the boat with Tom and JP, a brand new pairing, had mostly top 10 finishes, scoring at best a 4th place in one of the races. Other than that, all boats sailed well. Tom is from the bay so was able to host all the sailors at his house, which meant cozy beds and home cooked breakfast both mornings, which seemed to have helped a lot!
This regatta has the Tritons optimistic – other than being super fun, it really showcased some excellent sailing from the team, and is (hopefully) a sign of more growth to come!
10/11/25 - Hosting the first big regatta of the year!
The first competition for the Tritons, the frosh-soph regatta (UCSD Open), was a challenge for both sailing skills and the team’s new leadership. Hosting a regatta means coordinating with teams visiting from all over the west coast, the yacht club, coaches, race committee, etc etc. Thankfully, both the Triton sailors and coordinators rose to the occasion and they had a fun, successful regatta!
This regatta has 2 divisions — “open,” also called varsity, and “frosh-soph,” which is open only to people who have been on their team for less than 2 years. It is an excellent opportunity for newer sailors to get race experience in a low stakes environment. The way the quarter system works, the UCSD team had their tryouts last weekend, so their two boats of brand new team members only had the chance to practice once before representing their team in this competition. The entire team is so proud of them for rising to the occasion and getting out there with smiles on their faces!
On the logistics side, everything went smoothly! The other teams arrived around 9am on Saturday to rig their boats, and launched without any major issues. Race committee (the volunteers in charge of facilitating and scoring the races) showed up on time and did an excellent job.
The wind was light on Saturday and even lighter on Sunday. The course had a lot of spots with dead wind, so the sailors had to be extra careful with the course they took. Although the Tritons did well overall, they hoped to do better. It’s the first regatta of the year though, so there’s lots of room to grow!
10/4–5/25 – Fall 2025 Tryouts 
Recruiting went very well this fall. After several tabling events and increased social media activity, more than 60 prospective members attended the information session on October 1st.
The team’s tryouts follow a two-day format: roughly half of the prospective members launch from Mission Bay Yacht Club to sail on Saturday, while the remaining half participate on Sunday. Four boats were on the water each day, with current members sailing alongside prospective members for about 20 minutes before returning to the beach to rotate in a new person. This structure ensures that every participant has an opportunity to get out on the water and determine whether sailing is something they want to commit to.
Both days brought light to moderate winds—ideal Mission Bay conditions for new sailors. Those waiting on the beach spent the time playing spikeball, tossing a frisbee, chatting, and enjoying the warm fall weather.
Although the team always wishes it could accept everyone, competition schedules and practice demands limit the number of new members that can be brought on. Ultimately, about 35 new sailors were selected, and the team is excited to welcome them into the sailing community. The incoming group shows strong enthusiasm, and many are already eager to begin training. With such promising interest, the season ahead is shaping up to be an energetic and successful one.
5/10/25 - Connecting with old friends: UCSD sailing alumni come back to sail a regatta at mission bay
The alumni shuffled in at around 10:30am on Saturday. Some of them hadn't sailed an FJ for years, and it was easy to pick up on how excited they were. Some alumni had recently graduated, just a year or two ago, but we also had alumni who graduated over 6 years ago! One even flew from SF just for this event.
After rigging and chatting, the boats got out on the water. They raced for about 2-3 hours before lunch time -- burgers grilled by Adem and Jake, along with some other refreshments. Chatting with the alumni and seeing how happy they were to be sailing again was really nice to see.
After lunch, they sailed a good number of races, and finally got off the water around 4:30pm. Our coach was really happy with the performance of the alumni, as their skills had stuck around and they were still able to race quite impressively.
4/26/25 - Rain, sun, and everything in between at this years Anteater Regatta
Our team drove up at the crack of dawn on Saturday, only to encounter some hard rain when we got near the venue. We were drenched before we even got our boats in the water.
After launching, racing was delayed for about 20 minutes due to rain and unpredictable conditions, so A fleet was left circling the race committee boats out in the rain. Conditions cleared fairly quickly, and racing started as the sun came out. The wind was just about perfect, 10-15 knots. Each rotation did 4 races, before we wrapped up for the day. Stella and Emma got a
first place finish in a race Saturday (in the varsity fleet!)
For Sunday, the sunny conditions held out, and we had a good day of racing, albeit with a little less wind than Saturday. Our team didn't sail quite as well as we did Saturday, but still had some good races and a good time out on the water.
Irvine is a team favorite every year, so everyone left Sunday evening with smiles.
4/19-20/25 - Spring Pacific Coast Champs
On April 19th and 20th, the UCSD Sailing Team traveled to Berkeley, CA, to compete at the Mark Healey Open Fleet Race Championship. Richmond Yacht Club hosted the event, and sailing was held in the basin outside the club. Racing started promptly at 11:00 am on Saturday with winds ranging from 12-15 kts. Despite the wind and waves increasing throughout the day, our sailors raced until 5:45 pm, when the sun began to set. Each division raced 6 races on the first day. On Easter Sunday, racing was postponed until 12:30 pm due to a lack of wind. Despite a cut-off time of 3:00 pm, each division was able to complete 2 more races. The Tritons finished in 10th place overall, and the young team looks forward to improving on their performance in subsequent years. Congratulations to Mitchel Sanford '28 and Izzy De Fontaine '28 for a 2nd place finish on their 7th race, and placing 7/16 in their division.
4/5/25 - Women's PCCs in Hawai'i
On the weekend of April 5th and 6th, 4 of our amazing Triton Women's Sailing Team traveled to Hawai'i to compete in the Pacific Coast Wahine Champs on the Keehi Lagoon. Trade winds cleared out the volcanic fog Saturday Morning, providing 15- 20+ kts of breeze throughout the event. Gusty and shifty conditions were a challenge for our sailors. After a rough start to the regatta, Cassie Halaszynski managed a second-place finish, bumping the Tritons into a comfortable 7th place at the end of the first day. The second day was breezier with gusts over 20ts, but after 6 races, the ladies maintained their position, finishing the regatta in 7th.
The Triton Women's Sailing team is grateful to the University of Hawai'i for hosting a great regatta and to their host for the weekend, John Higham, whose hospitality made this trip possible.
3/22/2025 - South Designate Regatta
This is a competitive regatta that determines whether or not our team qualifies for conference champs.
Day 1 (Saturday, March 22), racing started at 11:30am. Breeze was 5-9 knots all day. 10-15 degree shifty but the median axis only moved once (to the left). Gorgeous weather in the high 60s to low 70s. Racing was good and competitive overall.
Day 2 (Sunday, March 22) racing started at 11am. The breeze was 5-9 knots all day again. Same wonderful sunny weather, with a lot of races.
The members of our team who went had a good time. We didn't place as good as we wanted, but we got 11th out of 17th which still qualifies us for champs, which we are excited about.
3/16/25 - Sail GP Los Angeles
An incredible experience for the whole team! We drove up Sunday morning before the event and the opening events were great. We got to see the foils in their garages and take pictures at their photo ops. Sunny weather and great wind made for perfect races with world class athletes. Getting to talk with professionals and business owners, promoting our club and garnering attention for future competition opportunities was one of a kind and we are so grateful that sail gp believed in us.
3/1/25 - Two days of sailing in the desert at ASU's Cactus Cup Regatta!
This is a very unique event for us San Diego sailors, since it's not often we get to sail under the desert sun, with hills of chaparral all around us. But that isn't all that makes this event unique! This is the only regatta we have attended this year where sailors rotated off of pontoon boats! Typically, boats will pull up to either a dock or a beach for sailors to swap in and out of boats, so rotating off of a pontoon boat was a novel and fun experience.
Winds the first day were fairly heavy, at about 18 knots, so our sailors got to spend some time in windier conditions than normal. Unfortunately this meant the marks (used to outline the course) were drifting, so the race committee had to frequently adjust them, so there were only 4 races that day (2 per rotation), and one of them was dropped from the scores.
Sunday was lighter wind, but much more shifty. Still, this allowed for 6 total races for the day.
Overall, our sailors sailed great, especially considering all the novelties involved. Everyone had a great time and we are looking forward to attending this regatta next year!
2/22/25 - Sailing Gets 5th at Mustang Open 
Mustang Open brought difficult conditions for the UC San Diego Sailing Team. The wind was light and variable on Saturday, and the current was strong. Our sailors performed well in these difficult conditions, and we were in third place at the end of Saturday. On Sunday, the conditions were just as tricky, and our sailors struggled a bit more and dropped to 5th place. 5th place is still an excellent result and an improvement from last year's result. Our team continues to improve and strengthen. Only 7 points separated 2nd and 5th. Mustang Open was a competitive regatta and a good learning experience for our team.
Our sailors also did well in the JV fleet. Our top two boats were 8th and 9th, and some of the newer sailors were able to gain experience and remain competitive in extremely tricky conditions.
It is always fun to sail in Morro Bay, and this year was no different. Next weekend, our sailors head to Arizona for the Cactus Cup!
2/15/25 - Fleet Racing in the Bay: Stanford's Bryson Women's Regatta
This past weekend, UCSD sent a small fleet of two boats, along with some of our best sailors (Allie, Audra, Alex, & Cassie, with Nida as an alternate), up to Palo Alto to compete in the Bryson Women's regatta.
Day 1, Saturday, started with very light conditions. There was an on-shore postponement until about 1 pm, when boats were finally able to get out on the water. To pass the time on land, all the teams came together to play UNO (which, unfortunately, ASU won and not us). Since the boats got out on the water so late, only two races were held that day. The fleet raced in FJs, the traditional boats we sail in.
Day 2 got more interesting. Sunday started with much heavier conditions, with shifty winds, which makes choosing a good course to sail even more important than usual. The fleet raced in 420s this time, which our sailors have less experience with. They persevered through the 7 races held that day.
Audra's impression of the overall experience was: "It was cool to get to see a lot of our friends in the conference on the water. Combined fleets made the racing more intense with lots of opportunities to practice our tactics and utilize knowledge of the rules." All in all, a success!
2/8/25 - UCSD Sailing Returns to Team Racing After Two Years
The UCSD Sailing team traveled to Stanford this past weekend to compete in the McIntyre Team Race regatta. This represents the UCSD Sailing team's first foray into team racing since the 2022/23 season. The first day of the regatta had a lovely 7-12 knots of wind with a total of 66 races being completed on the first day alone. The UCSD sailing team competed in 11 races and were able to win two of them against tough competition. Our team struggled to switch from FJs to 420s, but we found our footing in the 420s later in the day and had competitive races that led us close to victory.
On the second day, the race committee attempted to run races even though the winds were light and variable. In the first attempted race, we had a close battle with Cal Maritime, and although Cal Maritime ultimately came out on top, that race showed how much we improved over the weekend. Since the race committee could not complete any more races, the Cal Maritime race on Sunday was thrown out. Going forward we hope to continue to grow our team and are already excited for next year's racing program!
1/25/25 - Jeff Simon Regatta
The UCSD Sailing Team hosted its annual Jeff Simon Memorial Regatta at Mission Bay Yacht Club. This regatta consisted of two divisions: an Open (Coed) division, with about 35 boats, and a Women’s division (that sailed only Saturday), with 7 boats. The first regatta day started with a frisky southerly wind blowing over Mission Bay with 15-18 kts, and racing kicked off around 11:30 am. The winds continued to build for 2 hours, resulting in excitingly windy conditions. It’s hard to estimate exactly how many capsizes occurred, but it was likely around a fourth or fifth of the fleet that capsized every race. One boat even got stuck upside-down, as its mast had gotten buried in the mud of the shallow ocean floor (all sailors were okay, and the boat was recovered with the help of some scuba gear in the evening). Despite the tough conditions, our sailors kept smiles on their faces and thanked themselves for remembering to wear wetsuits. After running a few races in the A rotation of Open and the Women’s division, the race committee decided to call an onshore postponement until the conditions died down a bit. After about an hour, the wind steadied out to about 8-10 kts of wind, allowing for racing to commence. All in all, it was a great first day of racing.
The second day was exciting in a different way. The wind was a lot calmer, and racing started later in the day since the wind wasn’t strong enough in the morning. The Wom
en’s fleet boats joined with the Open division since the Women’s regatta had concluded on Saturday. Racing started around 11:20 am, and we quickly saw some impressive talent from some of our boats. Brendan and Stella got two bullets (finishing the race in first), and Allie and Audra got a bullet as well. These were quite impressive accomplishments, especially considering there were 42 boats in the fleet! All of our sailors had a great time during both days, through rough seas and calm conditions, so the weekend was a great success!
1/18/2025 - Peter Wenner Rainbow Invite
This past weekend, nine of our sailors headed to the beautiful island of Oahu for the 2025 Peter Wenner Rainbow Invite, hosted by the University of Hawaii. True to tradition, UH put on an incredible event, complete with their signature coconut awards, warm hospitality, and sunny skies that made you want to jump right into the water.
The sailing conditions were strong, with shifty winds blowing 13 knots and gusting into the 20s. These challenging conditions pushed the team to stay sharp and adapt its strategies on the fly. It was a true test of skill and resilience, as sailors had to constantly read the wind, communicate effectively, and make split-second decisions to stay competitive. In these demanding conditions, the team rose to the occasion, learning and improving with every race. With UH graciously providing charter boats, we were able to focus fully on navigating the tricky wind patterns and honing our skills.
Off the water, the warm weather and vibrant camaraderie among teams made the weekend just as memorable as the racing itself. A huge thank you to the University of Hawaii for hosting such an amazing event, and to our housing host John for making all the teams feel so welcome. We’re already looking forward to next year!
1/4/25 - Sailing’s Rose Bowl Regatta
On the weekend of January 4th-5th, the UCSD Sailing Team traveled to Long Beach California to compete in the Rose Bowl Regatta hosted by USC out of the US Sailing Center. This unique event had high school and college fleets, contributing to over 130 teams across 4 divisions. Conditions allowed the race course to be located directly on the Pacific Ocean with rotations off Long Beach City Beach. Racing started at 12 on Saturday and ran to roughly 4 pm. Throughout the day the wind picked up to a maximum of 7kts and a minimum of about 3kts. This light breeze is very typical for a Long Beach Winter. Division A (Shand '26 & Potter '26) and B (Sanford '28 and Evecek '25) completed 4 races each on the first day, securing 2 top-10 finishes. Conditions were even lighter on the second day (Sunday). After an hour of postponement, the breeze filled in and racing began around 12:30 pm. Both divisions competed in 2 more races before the regatta ended at 3 pm. The team had a wonderful time racing and we look forward to continued improvements in our scores. Thank you to USC for hosting such an amazing event!
11/16/24 - UCSD Sailing Club at the Fall Pacific Coast Championships!
This past weekend, the UCSD Sailing Club competed at the Fall Pacific Coast Championships, held at the picturesque Santa Barbara Harbor. With 38 members and seven boats representing our team, we faced off against 18 colleges from up and down the West Coast.
Day one of the regatta brought unexpected challenges as winds blew steadily at 15-20 knots, creating dynamic conditions for racing. Each division was able to complete 6 races (18 total) before sundown. On the second day, the wind made it unable to sail until about 1:15 pm, after which the PRO got 2 races off per division.
We had some standout performances from some of our sailors; Allie and Audra performed very well in the open division, with multiple top-ten finishes. In the JV division, Mitchel and Samantha clinched a first-place finish in one of their races, a highlight of the weekend.
For many of our newer members, this was their first collegiate regatta, offering a valuable introduction to ocean sailing and competitive racing. They gained firsthand experience with waves and learned what it takes to compete at this level. The regatta also served as an opportunity to assess our team’s competitive edge and fine-tune divisional placements moving forward.
In addition to the on-the-water action, the team displayed outstanding camaraderie and efficiency off the water. From loading trailers to rigging boats, everyone pitched in to ensure smooth logistics—a noteworthy achievement given the number of new members.
The Fall Pacific Coast Championships was an unforgettable experience, full of growth, teamwork, and incredible performances. UCSD Sailing Club continues to demonstrate our strength and spirit both on and off the water, and we’re excited for what’s ahead this season!
10/12/24 - Sailing's Frosh Soph
The UCSD Sailing team hosted their annual Frosh-Soph Regatta at Mission Bay Yacht Club, with 12 schools, 46 boats, and about 200 sailors in attendance. The regatta started off Saturday with about 10kts of breeze, and racing began around 11:30. The breeze built throughout the morning, allowing for the race committee (RC) to run races consistently. A division and B division competed in 6 and 4 races, respectively. And, of course, the first day of Frosh Soph is never complete without a healthy amount of capsizes. Sailors were seen scrambling to right their boats and rejoin the fleet, adding to the excitement of the day. The competitive energy was high, and the conditions made for an action-packed start to the regatta. All in all, a great first day of racing.
Day 2 of Frosh Soph displayed a lot less wind than Day 1: Only about 4-6 kts throughout. However, that didn't stop racing from getting started at about 11:15 and continuing until the last start at 3:15. Light and shifty conditions resulted in a huge separation of boats within each fleet, with some boats battling it out near the front of the pack and others fighting to stay in th
e hunt. Races were extended to about 20 minutes, with strategic shifts and puffs making it challenging to maintain consistency. The fluctuating breeze tested sailors' ability to stay in the right spots on the course, keeping the race committee and competitors alike on their toes. A and B divisions sailed 2 and 4 races respectively, with many teams making adjustments to their tactics as the conditions evolved. Overall, a wonderful weekend of sailing, marked by great competition, camaraderie, and a perfect mix of challenging and fun conditions.
10/18-19/2024 Sailing Vs. Stoney Burke Regatta
This past weekend, the team traveled to the Stoney Burke Regatta hosted by UC Berkeley at Marina Bay Harbor, nestled next to the Richmond Yacht Club. From the moment they arrived, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation. The team had an excellent experience sailing in interesting and challenging conditions. On Saturday, the wind fluctuated dramatically, ranging from about 0 to 9 knots, with shifts of up to 180 degrees that resulted in numerous course changes called by the race committee. Sailors had to stay agile and adaptable, constantly recalibrating their strategies as the wind shifted.
Sunday proved to be less windy but still very shifty, with unpredictable gusts that kept everyone on their toes. The ever-changing strength and direction of the wind made the venue exciting, fostering a spirit of camaraderie among the teams as they shared tips and insights. Each race became a lesson in resilience and teamwork, turning the challenging conditions into an excellent learning experience. By the end of the weekend, the team not only improved their sailing skills but also deepened their bonds, already looking forward to their next competition.
The regatta also provided valuable insight into the importance of staying mentally sharp and maintaining focus under pressure. While the unpredictable wind patterns kept everyone on edge, it also reinforced the importance of adaptability and strategic thinking. Watching teams adjust their tactics on the fly was a reminder of how crucial it is to read the conditions, trust instincts, and communicate effectively as a team. As the team reflects on the weekend’s challenges and triumphs, they are more motivated than ever to continue refining their techniques and pushing their limits in future regattas.
9/19-22/2024 - UCSD Sailing Vs. GLIOR
This past weekend the UCSD Sailing Team traveled to Chicago, Illinois to compete in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta. On Friday, the team got an early start at the Columbia Yacht Club with our boat host David Michaels. After prepping the boat for light wind conditions, the team officially docked off. Practice ran from about 11 am to 5 pm that day. Maneuvers and strategies were smooth and we felt comfortable calling it a day.
Saturday started early with breakfast at the CYC. The weather conditions were very light this day as predicted. The first start was postponed several times, which made for some wonderful swim time in Lake Michigan but we eventually got going with amazing starts the rest of the day. The team remained consistent in our starts and race placement throughout the meet.
Our last day, Sunday, was rainy, but all boats were still in great spirits. Racing started strong, as we were second around the first windward mark. We are very grateful to have attended this event, and we continue to build our keelboat experience.
4/6-7/24 - Anteater Regatta in Alamitos bay Yacht Club!
So grateful to bring up 19 awesome sailors to Long Beach this weekend! At the annual Anteater regatta, UCSD brought up three boats and catered one from UC Irvine. Thank you to the beautiful Alamitos Bay Yacht Club for hosting this weekend. We had a great view of the water, palm trees, and the mountains behind them with sun the whole time! On Saturday, it started out pretty light and then picked up to 11-12 knots. Getting 16 races in. On Sunday, there was solid wind building through the day with a completion of 8 races. Wind was not as shifty, but higher wind was present. Thank you to UC Irvine for hosting another amazing Anteater regatta, we love to come up every year!
3/23-24/24 - South Designates
South Designates was a tough regatta with fierce competition and teams coming from all long the west coast, from San Diego all the way up to Washington. The venue and wind made the race even trickier. With wind gradually climbing from 15 knots all the way up to 25 knots throughout the course of the day and wind tunnels formed by streets and alleys in between houses. Teams put their best foots forward and it was displayed. It was an incredible experience for everyone who attended!
3/9-10/24 - Fun up in San Francisco at St Francis Invite - North Designates
We sent four lovely ladies up to San Francisco this weekend to compete in St. Francis, North Designates! We chartered one boat with SFYC being amazing hosts. On Saturday, the wind was quite strong with lots of current to sail with. There were two races for each rotation completed, with 4 rotations total — ending Saturday with 4 races for A and 4 races for B. On Sunday, the wind had died down a little, but it was still quite shifty. RC had to move the course into the bay later, increasing the current in the water, but everything still went well. Rotation A sailed races 5-8, while B sailed races 5-7. It was a gorgeous weekend with St. Francis Yacht club being right between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Thank you again to SFYC for hosting!
3/9-10/24 - UCSD sails a Catalina 37 at the Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup
After driving up just outside the Port of LA Thursday morning, our team of eight crew members set sail for their first day of practice for Harbor cup. The team was preparing their best in the boat by practicing before the start of each day of racing, as well as taking Friday to get the maneuvers down! This weekend was focused on getting the team more keelboat experience against other boats. While it was a tough weekend, a big highlight was getting 1st place in one of the races Saturday. They got off five races on Saturday, with an average of 15-18 knots the whole weekend by midday. Despite only getting two races off on Sunday, the team spent the whole weekend on the water for some great experience. Our crew was sailing a Catalina 37 that was chartered from the Long Beach Sailing Foundation. Thank you so much to Coach Robert for coming up to coach as well and Cal Maritime for helping host!
3/2-3/24 - UCSD Sailing Team’s First Cactus Cup!
This was Arizona State University's first time hosting a regatta! It was located right above Phoenix and was hosted on this large beautiful lake. All the teams were able to camp together on this big site and everyone had a blast. ASU was gracious enough to supply breakfast and dinners the weekend we were there, lots of intercollegiate bonding. Bringing the boats down on a trailer, we sailed 3 boats this weekend. Both Saturday and Sunday, there was lots of wind with gusts up to 30 knots. The current was a fun challenge in the lake, and the water was very cold despite the gorgeous sun and beautiful weather. We had quite a few capsizes, but just all the more practice! Thank you to ASU for hosting and for everyone who helped get this regatta together.
2/24-25/24 - UCSD enjoys a gorgeous sailing weekend at Mustang Open
This weekend we took 22 sailors up to the green rolling hills of San Luis Obispo! We always love coming to Morro Bay as Cal Poly is an amazing host, with a spaghetti dinner Saturday and a pancake breakfast Sunday morning. Conditions were beautiful both Saturday and Sunday. The sun was shining both days without a hint of rain. We had a great amount of wind, and while there is always a lot of current in Morro Bay to sail in - we definitely learned a lot this weekend. On Saturday there was a light breeze averaging about 5 knots throughout the day before dying around 4PM. On Sunday the wind filled in a bit more with a max of about 12 knots, the current still going strong. Overall about 9 races for the Varsity/Women’s line and 8 races for the Open JV fleet. The team enjoyed a lot of bonding, within our own team and with others we get to see at these regattas. This was a great opportunity for our new skippers to really practice at a fun regatta with great conditions. Thank you again to Cal Poly SLO for hosting an amazing regatta!
1/27-28/24 - UCSD Hosts Annual Jeff Simon
16th place
SATURDAY
Was a gorgeous day for sailing on the beautiful mission bay! We had a lot of great teams come to San Diego for this regatta for a total of 29 boats on the Open line. On this warm day the wind was building throughout the races to peak at about 8 knots. We got 4 races for Women’s this first day.
SUNDAY
We had another sunny day of sailing. Finished a total of 6 races for the Open line and had 3 races for the second day of the Women’s regatta. Finished it with our Jeff Simon raffle. Thank you to all the alumni who helped run this regatta and to all the teams who participated.
1/19-21/24 - UCSD Sailing enjoys beautiful Hawaii at the 2024 Peter Wenner Rainbow Invite!
Every year, we send 8 sailors who have dedicated significant time and energy into the sailing team, to Hawaii for the PJ Rainbow invite. On the gorgeous island of Oahu, the University of Hawaii were amazing hosts. With shell necklaces, coconut awards, and a BBQ hosted after racing Saturday - we definitely had a blast.
This weekend, there was a light breeze out of the south with the wind picking up more as the day continued. Without crazy waves to worry about, we worked hard on the starts and rolling hard throughout the whole race. UCSD Sailing navigated the shifting wind conditions, and was able to participate in the rout robin with each team switching boats in each rotation.
There were sunny skies each day with beautiful warm weather. It was awesome getting to meet other teams as well outside of our conference, with teams coming from east coast of the U.S. and British Columbia as well. UH was gracious enough to charter boats for all the teams, so thank you again to them!
