Science Tokyo’s women sixth in Snipe class at Spring 2026 Kanto Intercollegiate Student Sailing Competition
Haruna Suzuki and Saki Takeda of the Science Tokyo Sailing Team have finished sixth in the Snipe class at the Spring 2026 Kanto Intercollegiate Student Sailing Competition, held at Morito Coast in Hayama, Kanagawa Prefecture on May 9 and 10.
Snipe class — 6th place
- Saki Takeda, 3rd year, Materials Science and Engineering
- Haruna Suzuki, 4th year, Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering
Comments from Snipe class skipper Saki Takeda
This race was fought under challenging conditions that tested both our physical strength and mental resilience. The wind shifted constantly while the surface of the sea changed appearance from one moment to the next. Any hesitation could have led to the next mistake, and a loss in composure meant the positions we had worked so hard for could have been lost in an instant. Amid that intense pressure, I was reminded once again of the importance of believing in ourselves and fighting hard to the finish line.
This mindset closely resembles my experience at Science Tokyo. Through my lectures, lab work, and assignments, I have learned the importance of not rushing to find answers to questions that do not have immediate solutions. Instead, it is important to continue thinking and working through them, much like out at sea. When things do not go as planned, I have to calmly assess what needs to be done in the moment and make a series of decisions one by one. I feel that the perseverance I have cultivated at the Institute was what sustained me throughout this race.
Our sixth-place finish means we improved one position from our previous race. This progress showed me how much we have grown, but also left me with a sense of regret. I wonder if we could have done better. Still, I believe this feeling is precisely what we need to keep progressing.
This result would not have been possible without my partner Haruna Suzuki, the teammates who practiced with me every day, and the Science Tokyo Sailing Team alumni and guardians who provided constant support. The encouragement and backing from so many people gave me the strength to keep moving forward, even during the toughest moments. I thank you all.
I will take the confidence I gained from this race — while never forgetting that lingering sense of regret — and apply it to reach even greater heights. Driven by a strong determination to never lose, I will draw strength from my experiences out on the water and train even harder.
Competitive sailing
Competitive sailing is a highly strategic and tactical mental sport that requires competitors to read the constantly changing winds and tides, and determine an optimal course while maintaining speed. In a race, all participating boats start simultaneously and compete for finishing positions by navigating around buoys set in the sea in a prescribed order. The All Japan Intercollegiate Sailing Championships feature competitions in two classes: the Snipe class and the 470 class.
Snipe-class dinghies use two sails — a mainsail and a jib. Speed can be hard to come by, so sailors must utilize the wind skillfully while maneuvering strategically in relation to the other boats. Sailors lean over the edge to achieve balance while hooking their feet under straps attached to the boat.
In addition to a mainsail and a jib, 470-class dinghies also use a spinnaker sail. This gives the boat more speed than a Snipe-class dinghy, but also makes balancing more difficult. To prevent the boat from capsizing, "trapeze" wires are attached to the boat, allowing sailors to hang outside the vessel with their feet on the edge of the dinghy.
In both the Snipe and 470 classes, a skipper and a crew member operate the boat as a pair. The skipper is in charge of steering the boat, mainly operating the mainsail, while the crew member balances the boat and decides on the strategy and course based on the surrounding conditions.
About Science Tokyo Sailing Team
The Science Tokyo Sailing Team has a long history and is fully supported by the Kuramae Ushio Association, an alumni association boasting 400 members. Their motto is "developing full-fledged sailors, full-fledged members of society."
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The Science Tokyo Sailing Team is supported by the Science Tokyo Fund.