Women sailors from both sides of the border have assembled a Pacific Northwest team to race in New York Yacht Club’s Women’s Championship in September 2026.

When I mentioned the announcement of the new 2026 New York Yacht Club International Women’s Championship to my husband, Stuart, I expected a quick, “That sounds like a fun event.” Instead, he looked up and said, “You’d better get a team together.” That was all it took to turn a passing thought into a mission.

The first step was finding someone with the experience and reputation to make sure our application would stand out, as the event is by invitation only. Right away, I thought of Christina Wolfe, the accomplished doublehanded offshore sailor from Orcas Island who, at the time, had just been named US Sailing’s Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year. Stuart and I have known Chris and her husband, Justin, for years. They’ve been customers, competitors, and friends through shared sailing experiences in the Pacific Northwest and offshore. I knew immediately she’d be the perfect person to build a team with.

I reached out to her that night, and by the next morning I got her reply: “Count me in.” 

From that moment, Cascadia Sailing began to take shape, and Chris and I contacted women sailors that we knew on both sides of the border. We quickly found that many of the area’s top sailors also had an eye on this new championship event and were also starting to form teams. It made sense to combine our efforts and join together. The allure of the event is strong because of the 10-person team size, the iconic venue being New York Yacht Club Harbor Court in Newport, Rhode Island, the modern and fast purpose-built IC37s (ic37class.org), and the level of competition representing the top women’s sailors from around the world. 

Our roster is full of talented sailors including Canadians Maura Dewey, Tara Golonka, Grace Poole, Kate Sargent, Sarah Turpie, Zoe Folsetter, and Becky Kelly; and Americans Jen Morgan Glass, Lindsay Bergan, Ana Lucia Clarkson, and Jaime Mack. Among these women, we hold World, North American, and National Championship titles, many Olympic campaign journeys, Race to Alaska steak knives, and countless podium finishes in dinghies and keelboats. I’m thrilled to team up with all of this skill and experience!

We submitted an application and, after a tense waiting period, we received the invitation from NYYC. But getting the team of ladies together for the campaign and accepting the invitation were only the first steps on what will be a long and thrilling journey.

The next important step was finding a training boat. There weren’t many comparable boats available, and there is only one IC37 in the Pacific Northwest. That boat, hull #35, had served as a training platform for Royal Vancouver Yacht Club’s Invitational Cup campaign led by Ben Mumford. Stuart and I have since acquired IC37 #35, which is now at Royal Victoria Yacht Club. Just as important, Ben and his team have been super helpful to us while we figure out the boat. 

The Invitational Cup is a biennial yacht club championship hosted by NYYC. The success of the Invitational has paved the way for this new Women’s Championship. We were so happy to follow this year’s NYYC Invitational where the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club team placed third in a highly competitive fleet. Congrats team!

Along with Wednesday nights and weekend trophy races at Royal Victoria Yacht Club, we have had two official practices with most of the team present and, by the time this issue is off the press, we’ll have completed our first event together—Seattle Yacht Club’s Grand Prix.

Our tentative 2026 schedule includes Pacific Northwest events like the Center Sound Series, Patos Island Race, Puget Sound Spring Regatta, and Bellingham Race Week—all part of building toward the Women’s Championship in Newport, Rhode Island, in September 2026.

When we were looking for a team name, Cascadia Sailing seemed like the right fit to capture our cross-border collaboration. Butit’s so much more than that. There’s something truly special about living in the Pacific Northwest, where rugged shorelines meet towering forests and endless stretches of water. It’s a place that never stops inspiring adventure, curiosity, and connection. With the event being open regardless of country or yacht club affiliation, it felt like an invitation for us to embrace our whole region, not just part of it.

That’s what this campaign is about—unity, collaboration, and opportunity. Bringing strong, talented women together from both sides of the border with a common goal, to race hard, to represent the Pacific Northwest, and to inspire the next generation of women to fall in love with this sport and this place.

Cascadia Sailing isn’t just a team, it’s what happens when you mix equal parts rain, kelp, and stubborn Pacific Northwest optimism. We Canadian and American sailors share the same wind, the same tides, and the same coffee addiction that keeps us training in 45°f / 7°c and drizzle.

When Team Cascadia lines up off Newport in 2026, we’ll carry the spirit of this coastline and its community of sailors with us… and probably a few soggy foulies for good luck.

Two countries. One coast. One crew.

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Cascadia Sailing is launching an active and ambitious fundraising effort with an ultimate goal of $120,000. Reaching that level gives the team the best chance of success at this event—including access to top-level coaching before and at the event, as well participation in a lead-up NYYC regatta on a chartered IC37 in July. Cascadia Sailing requests support from the Pacific Northwest sailing community, either through donations or by spreading the word. Learn more and contribute to the team’s exciting endeavor HERE.