The University of Hawai`i Rainbow Wahine sailing team heads cross-country for the 2008 Intercollegiate Sailing Association Women' National Championship, May 26-28, in Newport, Rhode Island.

UH returns to the nationals after a one-year absence. The Rainbow Wahine have been a mainstay at the event, earning a berth in nine of the last 11 years. UH has had success in Eastern waters, winning the 2001 national championship in Boston.

The Rainbow Wahine gained a spot in the nationals by finishing second at the Pacific Coast Sailing Conference last month at Keehi Lagoon. Nationally ranked Stanford won the regatta and will also represent the PCCSC in Rhode Island.

Sailing for the Rainbow Wahine will be a majority of the sailors that secured the qualification - Darla Baldwin (crew), Danielle Hull (crew), Becky Mabardy (skipper), Pam Magasinn (crew), Erin Magee (crew), Jackie McLoughlin (crew) and Hannah Tuson-Turner (skipper),. Mabardy, McLoughlin and Tuson-Turner each earned all-PCCSC honors this year.

Quick Facts
What: 2008 Intercollegiate Sailing Association Women' National Championship
Where: Fort Adams State Park - Newport, R.I.
When: May 26-28, 2008. Races will begin at approximately at noon on May 26 and 10 a.m. the remaining two days, weather permitting.
Who: A total of 18 schools including: Boston College, Boston University, Brown, College of Charleston, Eckerd College, Georgetown, Hawai`i, Hobart/WmSmith Colleges, Navy, Northwestern, St. Mary's (Md.) College , South Florida, Stanford, Texas A&M, Tufts, Wisconsin, Western Washington, Yale.
Rainbow Wahine Years In Nationals (Place): Nine appearances - 1998 (9th), '99 (9th), 2000 (11th), '01 (1st), '02 (2nd), '03 (6th), '04 (4th), '06 (12th).

-UH-