Yuri Namikawa’s sailing career is as diverse as it is inspiring. From the waters of Southern California to the competitive racecourses of San Francisco Bay, she has embraced various forms of sailing, each with its own set of challenges and rewards. Namikawa’s journey, filled with family roots, a love for the sport, and a deep appreciation for community, showcases her as one of the sport’s most versatile competitors.
Yuri’s early years were shaped by her parents, who, in her words, were “kind of like Japanese hippies.” They sailed from Japan to the U.S. in the 1970s, stopping along the way in Hawaii and Canada before settling in Southern California. This adventurous spirit clearly runs in the family. It was aboard their 36-foot Ketch that Yuri began to develop her passion for sailing, racing Cal 20s with her family. “We first started racing the Cal20 together as a family, and I’ve been racing ever since,” she recalls, setting the foundation for her lifelong connection to the sport.
After growing up racing at California Yacht Club and Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club, Yuri eventually made her way to San Francisco, where she now competes as part of the St. Francis Yacht Club. The Bay, with its challenging conditions and ever-changing winds, has become her new playground. But her love for racing hasn’t stayed confined to traditional sailboats. In recent years, Yuri has embraced wingfoiling, an exhilarating and fast-growing sport.
Her introduction to wingfoiling was a natural extension of her deep connection with the water. “My now husband, Cole Hatton, taught me how to kite when we first started dating,” she shares. This introduction led her to progress from kiteboarding to kitesurfing and eventually kitefoiling. The transition to wingfoiling came after she and Cole witnessed the sport at Hood River. “We rented some gear and became totally hooked,” she says. It was this enthusiasm that led her to compete in the U.S. Wingfoil Championship this past August, though she admits, “I was super nervous to enter because I am still very new to wingfoil racing.”
Despite her nerves, Yuri found immense joy in the camaraderie of the event, especially among the women competitors. “I loved getting to know the other women, who were all ripping, and hope we see more women enter next year!” she says, highlighting the supportive and inclusive environment of the competition. She ultimately finished in third place in the women’s division at the event and she is eager to see the sport grow, both in terms of participants and the development of gear and race formats.
Yuri’s competitive spirit doesn’t stop at wingfoiling. She has been a key member of the team racing scene for years, sailing with the Stanford Sailing Team during her college years and later forming the Jet Lag team with her former teammates. The name “Jet Lag” comes from the red-eye flights the team frequently took to compete in regattas on the East Coast. “We would go straight from the airport to practice, and then race the regatta the next day, often ‘jet lagged,’ hence the name,” Yuri laughs. Despite the toll of cross-country travel, the team has remained close, winning the prestigious Hinman Trophy in 2017 and continuing to race together, including this past August’s Hinman Trophy in Annapolis, where the team placed third overall.
Team racing, to Yuri, is much like “speed chess,” as it requires quick thinking, communication, and the ability to adapt on the fly. “Your role
on the course changes quickly many times during a race,” she explains, emphasizing how trust among teammates is crucial. Whether it’s the fast-paced nature of dinghy team racing or the more methodical keelboat team races, Yuri finds joy in both the strategy and camaraderie that come with the discipline.
When asked to compare her love for team racing and wingfoiling, Yuri highlights the stark differences between the two. “With team racing, it’s all about working with and trusting your team, recognizing the high percentage plays, and quickly adapting to the situation,” she says. Meanwhile, wingfoiling offers her a more personal connection with the water. “I immediately fell in love with the exhilarating gliding feeling of flying above water… I love the meditative state I am able to achieve, just cruising around the bay,” she adds.
Yuri’s passion for both disciplines continues to push her forward, and her future is filled with exciting opportunities in both team racing and wingfoiling. With wingfoiling being such a new sport, she is eager to see how it evolves and is committed to being part of that journey.
Yuri has also been a dedicated participant in various US Sailing Championships throughout her career, racing in events since her junior years. “I’m grateful for the organization for continuing to push the overall discipline of sailing forward in its various forms,” she says. The chance to reconnect with friends she’s raced against since her days in Optis and sabots brings a special meaning to each event. As a competitor who has seen the sport grow over the years, she is particularly excited about US Sailing’s recognition of wingfoiling as an official discipline and hopes to see more women taking up the sport in the future.
With a rich sailing history and a commitment to exploring new horizons, Yuri Namikawa continues to be a vibrant presence in the sailing community. Whether racing in a high-stakes team race or gliding above the water on her wingfoil, she remains grounded by the love for the sport that was instilled in her from a young age. For Yuri, sailing is more than just competition—it’s a way of life.