Unveiling the Top-notch Skippers for 2026 New York Yacht Club International Women's Championship

The countdown for the New York Yacht Club International Women’s Championship in 2026 has begun, and with it comes the thrill of competition, teamwork, and the anticipation of great sailing races. A major milestone in the preparations for this exciting event is the unveiling of the invited skippers.

Among the notable names is South African sailor Dominique Provoyeur, an ardent competitor with a rich history of racing, having represented her country in the 2008 Olympics. The championship represents an open canvas, a platform where Provoyeur imagines to field an all South African team. For her, it’s not just about rallying the team, it’s sharing the high seas experience with her countrywomen, showing them the opportunities the sailing world has to offer.

This showpiece event is set to take place from September 12 to 19 in 2026, at the prestigious New York Yacht Club Harbour Court in Newport, Rhode Island. The boats of the hour will be the Club’s fleet of 20 IC37s. These 37-foot keelboats, designed by Mark Mills are perfect for the occasion, being powerful, sporty platforms that reward crew cohesiveness and athleticism.

One of the skippers to look out for is China’s Lijia “Lily” Xu. She’s no stranger to breaking boundaries or setting precedents, having won the gold medal at the London 2012 Games which was a first for China in the Laser Radial Class. She’s hoping to make a splash again with her team representing the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, thus exemplifying the global nature of this championship.

At its heart, the championship will be celebrating women’s sailing and those paths tread by its participants while striving to ignite new interest in the sport for the future generations.