Tracing the Course of Women in Competitive Sailing: International Championships and Qualifying Races

Published: 14 Jul 2025
An exhilarating narrative of women's ascent in competitive sailing, navigating two key events with some of the sport's most accomplished female skippers.
Honouring Feminine Sailing Excellence on the Global Stage
© Michael Hodges
New York Yacht Club House

The waves ebb and surge, beckoning the resolute female skippers steering their yachts towards set goals in two noteworthy maritime events. We turn our introspective glass on New York Yacht Club International Women’s Championship and the WASZP Games, highlighting the strides women have made in competitive sailing. The New York Yacht Club International Women’s Championship, carving out a niche for femininity on the high seas, welcomes sailors from all nations. It’s here that Dominique Provoyeur, a seasoned representative from South Africa, plans to assemble an all-female, South African crew. Provoyeur, an Olympic veteran, completes her narrative with triumphant chapters in endurance racing, embodying the multifaceted strength of womanhood. The Championship, spanning from September 12 -19, 2026, uses a fleet of 20 sporty, powerful IC37s; a testament to the dynamic symbiosis of technical precision and athleticism. Switching seas, the SailGP WASZP Grand Final 2026 in Sydney stages an epic contest: The WASZP Women’s Sprint Championship. Here, precision, boat handling, and tactics are the coveted triad, determining the fate of the sailors fighting for the top two spaces. The excitement is palpable as competitors launch shoulder to shoulder in the first race, skilfully harnessing the light winds for victory. This is more than a recounting of riveting races, it’s a narrative of transformation. It depicts a journey peppered with bronze and gold victories, showcasing talented females like Dominique Proyoveur and Lijia “Lily” Xu shaking up the traditionally male-dominated world of sailing. These platforms are instrumental in encouraging female sailors and enkindling their dreams of sailing at a higher level. Together, they chart the path for more women to command the helm, shaping an inclusive future for sailing.