The New York Yacht Club announced Wednesday the final five skippers for its inaugural International Women’s Championship, completing a field of 20 competitors from around the world.
The regatta will take place Sept. 12-19, 2026, at the New York Yacht Club Harbour Court in Newport. Competitors will race the club’s fleet of 20 IC37 keelboats, 37-foot vessels designed by Mark Mills specifically for the club.
The final group of invited skippers includes Giulia Conti of Italy, Karyn Gojnich of Australia, Lisa Ross of Canada, Lena Weißkichel of Germany and Katrina Williams of Bermuda.
Conti brings extensive credentials to the competition. The four-time Olympian won world and European championships in the 49erFX class and helmed the winning boat in last fall’s PUIG Women’s America’s Cup regatta. She was named Italian Sailor of the Year in 2015 and US Sailing Coach of the Year in 2020.
“After winning the first PUIG Women’s America’s Cup, I feel a responsibility to keep pushing for visibility and excellence in women’s sailing,” Conti said in the club’s announcement.
Ross will lead the Canadian Kairos Racing team, which includes three sailors with Olympic experience: Georgia and Antonia Lewin-Lafrance and Annie Haeger, who also competes on the Canadian SailGP team.
Gojnich competed in four Olympic Games, including the 1988 Seoul Olympics in the Women’s 470 Class — the first women’s class in Olympic sailing history. She currently serves as Vice Commodore for the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.
The championship features founding partner Rolex and regatta sponsor Helly Hansen as supporters.
The complete list of 20 invited skippers represents 13 countries: Norway, United States, Italy, Denmark, Great Britain, New Zealand, Canada, Australia, Sweden, South Africa, Netherlands, Germany, Bermuda and China.