Tahoe Yacht Club’s Sailing Season Finale: Women’s Skipper Race

Women took the helm last Wednesday night, September 16, for Tahoe Yacht Club’s Women’s Skipper Race and the club’s final sailboat race of the season, a fitting celebration to wrap up a successful summer of sailing!

The race put female sailors in the skipper’s seat for a spirited evening of keelboat racing. While crews could include both women and men, a woman was required to remain at the helm throughout the race, giving experienced female skippers a chance to take charge and others an opportunity to try their hand at the helm in a race setting.

The Women’s Skipper Race was a regular TYC event for many years, but for a variety of reasons, it has been absent from the racing calendar for over 15 years. It returned this year with enthusiastic support from the keelboat community, with 10 women skippers signed up and ready to race.

The weather, however, had a few challenges in store. Shifting winds of 15 to 18 knots and bumpy water made for a demanding evening, and even with a late race date change, six women skippers were more than up to the task.

The result was a competitive and fun evening on the water — a successful return for the Women’s Skipper Race and a great way to close out TYC’s 2026 sailing season.