Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation: Sailor Stories

Maddie Jo at the 2025 Ida Lewis

After a year of hanging on the wire and crewing the C420, I wanted to start getting experience skippering the C420 and felt that the 2025 US Junior Women’s Doublehanded Championship clinic and regatta was the place for me to jump in and start.

The first few days of the clinic were awesome—I had the opportunity to learn from a group of strong female college coaches and was surrounded by other very competitive and experienced women sailors.

During the clinic days, we were blessed with high winds (25-30 knots) which was great because it gave me the opportunity to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone, even if it meant capsizing in gusty, shallow waters. I knew I had support from the coaches and my fellow sailors to try and implement the concepts from the classroom to the water.  We had some of the best coaches giving their advice on how to address and attack these types of venues.

The classroom chalk talks were great and I have a folder full of notes and diagrams that I refer back to the night before my regattas.  The best part was being part of an all-girl crew from Newport Harbor Yacht Club and meeting other women sailors who share the passion and love of sailing with me.

What an incredible experience!

Thanks to the Newport Harbor Sailing Foundation, I am able to experience these unique venues and gain insights from coaches who have a different perspective for me to listen to. I am blessed we have the foundation to help provide funds so I can sail new venues across the nation!