Meet the Crew of Assarain – Ms. Race 2025
From first-timers to seasoned pros, the crew of Assarain is powered by precision, passion, and the deep bond of teamwork. With bold calls, fast sails, and plenty of heart, this is one boat you’ll want to watch all the way to the finish line!
💫 Alexis – In her first Ms. Race, Alexis brings a bold, adventurous spirit and a lot of heart. Married to Liz Graham, Executive Director of 180 Turning Lives Around, she’s embracing new challenges at sea and showing what it means to lead with courage and curiosity.
🌟 Annette – Representing Manhattan and Davis Island Yacht Clubs, Annette returns for her third Ms. Race and will be commanding the bow with Kate. She’s cool under pressure and knows exactly when to make her move—expect sharp, decisive action up front!
Fun fact: she raced the NOODs—but not nude! 😉
⛵ Deborah – Born and raised sailing the Chesapeake Bay, Deborah now runs the Junior Sailing Program at Keyport Yacht Club. As the team’s PIT, she’s the engine room of the boat—handling all things between mast and cockpit with calm control. She’s an inspiration to sailors of all ages, and in her third Ms. Race, she’s proving once again that the middle of the boat is where the magic (and mayhem) happens.
🍴 Debbie – From Keyport Yacht Club, Debbie is best known for her incredible onboard meals served from her Island Packet 42. She generally prefers a relaxing cruise—but today, she’s in full race mode! This is her sixth Ms. Race, and while we once made the mistake of racing her cruising boat (and watching our lovely lunch slide to the cabin floor mid-heel), there’s no doubt: Debbie's here to compete.
🎈 Heidi Neubelt – Yes, she’s one of the legendary sailing quadruplets—all King’s Point grads! Heidi has been trimming sails since she was a kid, and this is her first Ms. Race. On the spinnaker today, she’s in charge of the boat’s biggest, most unruly sail—because who else would you trust to keep the big balloon from collapsing dramatically in front of the entire fleet?
🌬️ Jaye Caban – A competitor since age 12, Jaye sailed for Roger Williams University and coached during summers off. Now a
mother of two, she’s trimming main, navigating, and calling tactics alongside sister Maddie in her sixth Ms. Race.
She’s sharp, strategic—and absolutely refuses to lose to Magic, her childhood sailing rival. Let’s just say there have been some photo finishes… and some sweet come-from-behind wins.
💪 Maddie – With over 25 years of sailing behind her, Maddie trims the jib and teams up with Jaye for navigation and tactics. This is her sixth Ms. Race, and she’s the calm command center when things get chaotic.
Unofficial title? The Unfucker. When lines snarl, sails jam, or things get messy mid-tack, Maddie shows up, sorts it out, and gets the boat back on track. She also hates losing to Magic—or any boat, really—and lives for those hard-earned wins.
🎖️ Karen Harris – Karen grew up sailing on her PopPop’s Ensign, then crewed on Sunfish and Lasers before returning to sailing as a keelboat racer. A DV survivor and dedicated 180 volunteer, Karen is co-skipper and jib trimmer—and a seven-time Ms. Race podium finisher. She’s fierce, focused, and fearless.
⚓ Kate Waters – Kate started racing on Mystique and is now regular crew on Assarain. In her fourth Ms. Race, Kate brings expert knowledge of Assarain IV and unmatched boat handling. As co-skipper and bow lead, she’s assertive, clear, and all about making the boat go fast.
Olivia – Racing her first Ms. Race, Olivia is a crew coach at Monmouth College and a force on the mast—hoisting sails with speed, strength, and zero drama. Don’t be fooled by the calm coach vibe—she’s an absolute badass with brains, brawn, and boat sense.
🤰 Sarah Steib – Sarah first joined a race thinking, “How hard could sailing be if two drunk Brians can do it?”—and 15 years, two kids, and a third pregnancy later, she’s still at it! Expecting a baby girl in November, Sarah brings humor, hustle, and a twelfth soul to the team today. That’s some serious crew commitment.
📸 Tina Graziano – Tina started sailing on Assarain two years ago and has become a dependable presence on deck. She’s a skilled photographer and serves as the “squirrel” today—getting the spinnaker safely and smoothly back into its compartment after a high-speed run. First Ms. Race, flawless energy.