New York YC Launches International Women’s Championship

The New York YC’s IC37s will be used for the inaugural International Women’s Championship in 2026. Rolex/Daniel Forster

The New York Yacht Club announced the launch of its International Women’s Championship, a female-only competition that will be sailed in the club’s fleet of IC37s in September 2026.

According to an announcement about the biennial event, teams of nine or more sailors are invited to request an invitation regardless of country, yacht club affiliation or amateur status. “As with other provided-boat events hosted by the New York YC, the International Women’s Championship will feature the ultimate level playing field,” the announcement says, “a combination of provided one-design boats and sails maintained to the highest racing standard with uniform rig tuning and on-the-water umpiring.”

The winning skipper will receive a Rolex timepiece.

“The New York Yacht Club envisions that this event, like the very successful Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup, will emerge as one of the sport’s top events,” says L. Jay Cross, Commodore of the New York Yacht Club. “The IC37 keelboat was designed to reward talented crews who can execute exquisite teamwork, speed transitions and excellent tactics, regardless of size or gender, so we’re excited to put these great boats into the hands of the world’s top female sailors.”

Event chair Cory Sertl, a past Rolex Women’s International Keelboat champion, says, “Our goal is to attract a truly international field of top competitors. We are hopeful that top professional sailors from the Olympics, Women’s America’s Cup and other top competitions will field teams and compete alongside top amateur keelboat sailors. The IC37 is a great platform that can accommodate sailors of all sizes and ages while still facilitating a robust and athletic competition.”

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