Sailing through stiff competition, two Redwood students captured a close second place finish for Team San Francisco Yacht Club (SFYC) at the Youth SAILING Champions League in Altea, Spain, on Nov. 11.

The regatta, which comprised 11 races in total, lasted three days and featured teams from 12 nations worldwide.

The 2025 year marked the United States of Americas (USA’s) first time participating in this event and Team USA was proudly represented by SFYC, which included two Redwood students and one Redwood alumnus.

Out of the 24 teams, SFYC finished second, with the only team ahead of them being Norddeutscher Regatta Verein of Germany. Although they did not finish in first, members of the team were happy with their performance, considering it was their first time being included in the race. 

Early in the competition, SFYC faced two equipment failures during two of their initial three qualifying races. Although this was a major setback, SFYC managed to regain their place near the top of the leaderboard. 

Senior and SFYC bowman Rhett Krawitt was proud of his team’s persistence through their hardships, “It was cool to make [our] comeback and nobody thought we were gonna make it to the final four and we did,” Krawitt said. 

From many standpoints, the event was a major success for the SFYC. 

Nicholas Sessions, SFYC helmsman and Redwood alumnus, was proud to honor his country at this tournament, and to be a part of the only USA team, “[They] were there to prove that America can compete against the top Europeans,” Sessions said. 

The team consisted of Schroeder, Krawitt and Sessions, along with non-Redwood students Julian Levash and Aaron Ziegler. 

Team SFYC hopes to be able to attend this regatta again next year.