Forty-seven collegiate teams gathered at Larchmont Yacht Club October 9–11 for the Long Island Sound Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta, marking the 25th anniversary of Storm Trysail Club organizing an event built around a generous idea: local boat owners and members sharing their boats, time and knowledge to introduce college sailors to big boat racing. Organized with Larchmont Yacht Club and supported by the Storm Trysail Foundation, the IOR has grown from just seven teams back in 2001. The regatta now offers opportunities for a range of college sailing programs, from established collegiate offshore programs to club teams with sailors whose racing experience has primarily been in dinghies. For some schools, the weekend is an opportunity to develop a growing offshore team. For others, it is a first chance to take on the different roles, teamwork and challenges of racing a larger keelboat. At the heart of that experience are the boat owners and designated Safety Officers, who welcome students aboard and help them build knowledge and experience throughout the weekend. Their commitment makes this distinctive format possible, connecting the next generation of sailors with an experienced and enthusiastic sailing community. Most teams began Friday with practice aboard their assigned boats, working alongside their Safety Officers to become familiar with sail handling, maneuvers and crew responsibilities before racing began. Saturday and Sunday brought competition across two race circles and six classes: the ORC National Team Class, two PHRF divisions, and three one-design divisions. The National Team Class is new for 2026 and brings together schools participating in all three stops of the expanding IOR Series. The weekend delivered two very different tests. Saturday’s sunshine and light breeze rewarded patience, careful boat handling and finding pressure, with most classes completing four races. Sunday brought strong winds and torrential rain, putting the sailors through their paces and shifting the focus to decisive maneuvers, clear communication and coordinated teamwork. Seven races were completed over the weekend. Class honors included:
J/88: Drexel University aboard Whirlwind, skippered by Jonathan Walerys, with 12 points and five consecutive race wins, edging the University of Wisconsin by one point.
Twenty-five years into Storm Trysail Club’s stewardship, the Intercollegiate Offshore Regattas continue to demonstrate the value of opening boats—and doors—to young sailors. These events have no entry fee, thanks to generous donations through the Storm Trysail Foundation, the dedication of boat owners and volunteers, and the support of sponsors ShopRite of Carteret, Lemon & Line, Helly Hansen, Carlsberg (Sheehan Family Companies), McMichael Yacht Yards & Brokers, UK Sailmakers Northeast, Dimension-Polyant, and RACE Coastal Engineering.
Full results: https://www.yachtscoring.com/event_results_detail/50628/5
Regatta photos: https://stormtrysail.org/regattas/iors/larchmont/ior-photos/