Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron finishes strongly at NYYC’s Women’s International Championship
by Karyn Gojnich OLY 20 Sep 21:58 PDT
12-19 September 2026
Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron at NYYC’s Women’s International Championship © Marina Semenova
Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (RSYS) has completed the New York Yacht Club Women’s International Championship in Newport, Rhode Island, delivering a strong regatta performance against one of the world’s most accomplished women’s sailing fields.
The invitation-only championship brought together 20 elite women teams from 14 nations, including South Africa, China, Bermuda, Germany and Great Britain. The fleet featured Olympians, America’s Cup sailors, round-the-world competitors and world-record holders, alongside emerging international talent.
Led by RSYS Vice Commodore and three time Olympian Karyn Gojnich, the RSYS team ‘all-ages’ crew was selected from a training squad of more than 30 women members.
RSYS finished the nine-race series with a first, fifth and eighth across the line. The results secured 11th place overall in a highly competitive international fleet.
Vice Commodore Gojnich said the experience was an important milestone for the club’s women’s sailing program.
“For RSYS, the Women’s International Championship represents the pinnacle of our women’s sailing pathway,” Gojnich said.
“We start with learn-to-sail programs, progress through crewing and twilight racing, and support our sailors as they take on state and national events. To crown that pathway with competition on the world stage shows what is possible when women take to the water.
“We sailed well, learned every day, and tested our skills against the best in the world. It’s been a wonderful experience to be part of a New York Yacht Club regatta.”
The RSYS racing crew comprised Vice Commodore Gojnich, Annie Wilmot, Mina Ferguson, Emily Keg, India Gilbert, Annabel Connery, Clare Crosswaite, Susan Hardy and Vicki Kornman. The team was supported throughout the campaign by a shore crew of nine.
The championship provided a valuable international benchmark for the RSYS women’s sailing program and highlighted the depth, ambition and development pathway available to women sailors at Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron. Opportunities continue with the RSYS ‘Ladies of the Sea’ Coaching regatta 2-4 October 2026 on Sydney Harbour.
