With a score of 127, the Harvard sailing team won the third annual Michael S. Horn regatta yesterday on the Charles, defeating Tufts and Boston University, who took second and third places respectively, with scores of 131 and 141.

The regatta--named after Harvard's sailing coach--was created in 1984 when Horn announced his retirement. He didn't retire then, but Harvard won the trophy the first year and Tufts the second year.

The victory was all the more special because Horn is retiring after the '86-'87 season is over, after having coached the sailing team since 1964.

"I really think its great that we won it," varsity sailor Dan Elbaum said. "Mike's going to retire and it's great that we could win it for him."

The regatta--unique in its design to have men and women skipper against each other--had four divisions, one women's and three open, in which at least two boats had to be skippered by women.

"They did really well especially since the other teams had their top people there and we only had some of ours," assistant sailing coach Sarah Herrick said. "We didn't keep our top skippers in. It was very nice to beat Tufts with their top skippers there, especially since they won last year."

Harvard came in first in the A division with 23 points, fifth in the B division with 46 points, second in the C division with 26 points and third in the D division with 32 points.