South Africa to compete in inaugural New York Yacht Club Women's International Sailing Championship
by Feisty Fox Media 29 Jan 19:59 UTC
12-19 September 2026
New York Women's International Sailing Championship © Feisty Fox Media
South Africa has been selected from a highly competitive international field to compete in the inaugural 2026 NYYC Women's International Championship, one of the world's leading professional women's sailing events.
Hosted by the New York Yacht Club — the custodian of the America's Cup, the oldest trophy in international sport — the championship is supported by founding partner Rolex and regatta sponsor Helly Hansen. The campaign will be led by Olympian Dominique Provoyeur and will feature an elite, inclusive team of South African women sailors.
The NYYC Women's International Championship brings together 20 of the world's top women's teams to compete in identical IC37 yachts, placing the emphasis firmly on skill, teamwork, and performance. South Africa's selection marks a significant milestone for women's sailing in the country and positions the team on a global professional stage.
"The selection committee had the very difficult job of whittling down a field of 48 international applications to create our list of 20 invited teams. These 20 teams include some of the best sailors in the world and come from all corners of the globe," said the New York Yacht Club.
The campaign is led by Dominique Provoyeur, an Olympian and internationally experienced sailor with a proven record across Olympic and high-performance keelboat racing. Under her leadership, the programme will deliver an eight-month high-performance campaign focused on elite competition, development, and long-term impact.
"Being selected to represent South Africa at the inaugural NYYC Women's International Championship is a huge honour," said Provoyeur. "This campaign is about high performance, opportunity, and building pathways for women in sailing. We are committed to fielding a team that reflects both excellence and the diversity of South African talent."
The final crew will consist of approximately 8-10 South African women sailors, selected through a formal application and on-water trial process. Importantly, the team will include women of colour from previously disadvantaged backgrounds who are now highly accomplished sailors, reflecting the evolving face of elite sport in South Africa.