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Sailor · 2007–2025

James Nichols

u s military academy 420PHRF handicapHandicap

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Events
39

238 races · 11 race wins

Win rate
3%

3% win rate · 1 of 39

Podium rate
26%

10 top-three finishes

Typically beats
38%

of boats faced (range 36%–41%, 1,064 boats)

Best class ranking
#895

Helm in Etchells · rating -86

Longest win streak
3

race wins in a row

Most successful partnership
Will Paxton

1 wins · 3 podiums in 5 events together · 20% win rate

Biggest lift
Will Paxton

+50 points of fleet beaten when sailing together

Longest-running crew
Chris Jordan

May 2019 – May 2025 · 6 events

Nemesis
Connor Mraz

2–55 head to head in 57 races

Rival
Ryan Flanagan

15–17 in 32 races

Signature result
5th of 159

GREAT PUMPKIN 2022 SUNDAY PURSUIT RACE · Handicap · 30 Oct 2022

Partnerships · 53 sailors

Most successful partnership: Will Paxton — 1 wins · 3 podiums in 5 events together · 20% win rate
  • Chris Jordan · Cazan, THE PORK CHOP EXPRES, Velvet Hammer, VELVET HAMMER · Express 27, Handicap, PHRF handicap 6events 0 wins together · 1 podiums · 0% win rate · 1 of 7 races won Beat 46% of the fleet together(+9 vs. without) · best 3rd · May 2019 – May 2025
  • Will Paxton · Velvet Hammer · Handicap, ORC handicap, PHRF handicap 5events 1 wins together · 3 podiums · 20% win rate · 7 of 13 races won Beat 81% of the fleet together(+50 vs. without) · best 1st · Oct 2022 – Sep 2025
  • Chloe Headrick · U. S. Military Academy (Black Knights) · College fleet racing 4events 0 wins together · 1 podiums · 4 events · 1 of 63 races won Beat 13% of the fleet together(−28 vs. without) · best 3rd · Oct 2017 – Oct 2019
  • Emily Robinson · U. S. Military Academy (Black Knights) · College fleet racing 4events 0 wins together · 1 podiums · 4 events · 2 of 73 races won Beat 19% of the fleet together(−21 vs. without) · best 2nd · Apr 2019 – Oct 2019
  • Henry Jensen · U. S. Military Academy (Black Knights) · College fleet racing 3events 0 wins together · 1 podiums · 3 events · 2 of 70 races won Beat 19% of the fleet together(−21 vs. without) · best 2nd · Oct 2019 – Oct 2019
  • Clara Bartram · U. S. Military Academy (Black Knights) · College fleet racing 3events 0 wins together · 1 podiums · 3 events · 2 of 70 races won Beat 19% of the fleet together(−21 vs. without) · best 2nd · Oct 2019 – Oct 2019
  • Ian Rogers · Velvet Hammer · Handicap, PHRF handicap 2events 0 wins together · 1 podiums · 2 events · 0 of 2 races won Beat 68% of the fleet together · best 2nd · May 2023 – Jun 2023
  • Cassidy Lynch · Velvet Hammer · ORC handicap, PHRF handicap 2events 0 wins together · 1 podiums · 2 events · 4 of 8 races won Beat 69% of the fleet together · best 2nd · May 2025 – Sep 2025
  • Mark English · Velvet Hammer · Handicap, PHRF handicap 2events 0 wins together · 1 podiums · 2 events · 0 of 2 races won Beat 68% of the fleet together · best 2nd · May 2023 – Jun 2023
  • Mark Girone · USA 349 · J/70 2events 0 wins together · 0 podiums · 2 events · 0 of 17 races won Beat 18% of the fleet together · best 52nd · Apr 2016 – Apr 2017

Lift shows how much better this sailor finishes with that partner aboard.

Rating history

-284-11946200820112014201720202023Helm rating, full-size sailingCrew rating, full-size sailing

— Helm rating, full-size sailing · - - Crew rating, full-size sailing

Event history · 39

DateEventBoatClassRoleFinish
11 Sep 20252025 Rolex Big Boat SeriesVelvet HammerORC handicapCrew2nd / 9
24 May 20252025 California Offshore Race Week Series - Spinnaker CupVelvet HammerPHRF handicapSkipper4th / 7
25 May 20242024 California Offshore Race Week Series - Spinnaker CupVelvet HammerPHRF handicapSkipper3rd / 8
5 May 20242024 - The Great Vallejo RaceVELVET HAMMERPHRF handicapSkipper3rd / 9
4 May 20242024 - The Great Vallejo RaceVELVET HAMMERPHRF handicapSkipper3rd / 9
27 Jan 20242024 - Three Bridge FiascoVELVET HAMMERHandicapSkipper2nd / 17
27 Jun 20232023 Transpac Honolulu RaceVelvet HammerHandicapSkipper4th / 7
27 May 20232023 California Offshore Race Week Series - Spinnaker CupVelvet HammerPHRF handicapSkipper2nd / 8
28 Jan 20232023 - Three Bridge FiascoVELVET HAMMERHandicapSkipper18th / 33
30 Oct 2022GREAT PUMPKIN 2022 SUNDAY PURSUIT RACEVelvet HammerHandicapSkipper5th / 159
29 Oct 2022GREAT PUMPKIN 2022 FLEET RACING ON SATURDAYVelvet HammerPHRF handicapSkipper1st / 3
13 Jul 20212021 Transpac Honolulu RaceCazanHandicapOther6th / 7
25 Jan 20202020 - Three Bridge FiascoTHE PORK CHOP EXPRESExpress 27Skipper5th / 22
19 Oct 2019Luce TrophyU. S. Military Academy (Black Knights)College fleet racingA Crew (1-2)14th / 15
12 Oct 2019Stony Brook Fall OpenU. S. Military Academy (Black Knights)College fleet racingA Crew (1-4)2nd / 3
5 Oct 2019Nevins TrophyU. S. Military Academy (Black Knights)College fleet racingB Crew (1-6)18th / 18
11 May 20192019 - OYRA SeriesTHE PORK CHOP EXPRESHandicapSkipper11th / 12
27 Apr 2019Army Spring OpenU. S. Military Academy (Black Knights)College fleet racingB Crew5th / 6
28 Apr 2018Army Spring OpenU. S. Military Academy (Black Knights)College fleet racingB Crew3rd / 4
14 Oct 2017Henry Luce Trophy - MAISAU. S. Military Academy (Black Knights)College fleet racingA Crew18th / 18
2 Sep 201771st Annual Labor Day Regatta420420Skipper12th / 25
21 Apr 20172017 Sperry Charleston Race WeekUSA 349J/70Other64th / 73
12 Nov 2016Naples Cup 20162011420Skipper26th / 27
15 Apr 20162016 Sperry Charleston Race WeekUSA 349J/70Main Trimmer52nd / 67
9 Apr 2016SailFest 2016881420Skipper24th / 25

Helm rating, Full-size sailing: 46, #43,601.Crew rating, Full-size sailing: -183, #62,744. Compiled from public results; not an official ranking.