After the 2020 Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta was canceled due to COVID, hopes were high for 2021, but were dashed when the racing was called off due to strong wind and waves. Fortunately, 2022’s rendition was greeted with ideal conditions, allowing the race committee to get off 7 windward-leeward races on October 8-9 in Larchmont, NY.

Over 260 college sailors came from across the USA to compete in one of the world’s largest intercollegiate big-boat regattas on yachts ranging from 29 to 40 feet. Co-hosted by Storm Trysail Club and Larchmont Yacht Club, 28 colleges were represented amongst 34 entries divided into five divisions – with five schools fielding multiple teams.

Amid sunny skies and 10-15 knot northwest winds, the Wisconsin Badgers, fresh off their victory in the 2022 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta (GLIOR), came out on top with straight bullets, taking home the Paul Hoffman Trophy for Best Overall Performance onboard the J/109, TBD.

The team generally has little big boat experience, mostly sailing dinghies in their home lake, but used the Friday practice session to tune themselves up. Team Captain Nicole Giuliana, a junior, thanked Safety Officer and STC Member Ed “Buttons” Padin for the guidance. Safety Officers are not allowed to coach during the regatta.

“We had an amazing practice session with him,” remarked Co-captain Jack Schweda. “We practiced a lot of gybes, 30 or 35, as we knew the corners were going to be critical. We…