Radcliffe's sailing team, which earlier was named the top women's team in the New England Women's Intercollegiate Sailing Association, will host the three-day Women's National Intercollegiate Championships at the Harvard Yacht Club beginning Thursday.

In its 20-regatta Fall and Spring season, the 'Cliffe, coached by Mike Horn, nabbed eight firsts, five seconds, five thirds, one fourth and one fifth. Co-captained by Barbie Grant and Janice Stroud, the team beat 111 opponents while losing to only 21 in this year's multi-college regattas.

Joining the two captains at the Nationals are Kathy Angell, Beth Goddard and Abigail Jones. Maggie Hivnor and Marie Roehm were the other regular season team members, but they will not sail in the Nationals.

Radcliffe, which won the national championship in 1968, 1969 and 1970, will face its toughest competition from defending champion MIT. Last season the 'Cliffe finished third.

Other schools entered in the competition include Newton College, Penn, Cornell, William Smith, Miami of Ohio, Michigan, University of California at Irvine, and Southern California.