Megan Thomson leads New Zealand team into inaugural New York Yacht Club Women’s International Championship
A star-studded New Zealand crew has made its debut at the inaugural New York Yacht Club Women’s International Championship in Newport, Rhode Island.
Led by world-renowned match-racer Megan Thomson and representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, the Kiwis are one of 20 international crews contesting the historic regatta, which is being sailed in the New York Yacht Club’s fleet of IC37 one-design keelboats. The championship runs from 15–19 September, with teams from 13 nations represented.
It was a challenging start for the Kiwis, who crossed the line 19th, but they have three more races scheduled today as they look to move up the leaderboard.
For Thomson, simply reaching the start line has been an achievement.
The Auckland sailor only arrived in Newport after completing The Ocean Race Atlantic aboard fellow Kiwi Conrad Colman’s MSIG Europe.
Thomson was co-skipper alongside Colman on the predominantly New Zealand crew, which finished sixth in the inaugural transatlantic race on 12 September after completing the shortened course in nine days, seven hours and 40 minutes.
She then had to dash Newport to rejoin her NYYC Women’s International Championship crew.
Megan Thomson leads a star-studded RNZYS team at the inaugural event. Photo / RNZYS
Now back at the helm of the IC37, Thomson leads a New Zealand crew that combines Olympic pedigree, world championship experience and international keelboat and match-racing success.
Leslie Egnot is calling tactics, bringing an impressive America’s Cup history to the team. Egnot was skipper and helm of America3, the all-women’s team that came agonisingly close to defeating Dennis Conner and Stars & Stripes for the right to defend the America’s Cup.
Jenny Egnot, a three-time Olympic campaigner who represented New Zealand at the Sydney 2000 Olympics in the 470, is on main trim, while Ella Arnold takes jib trim.
Allie Tsai and Sara Tucker bring further offshore, one-design and match-racing experience, while Ellie Copeland is on pit and Chelsea Rees is on the runners.
Josi Andres and Irina Beloborodova bring extensive match-racing and keelboat experience, with Andres sharing bow duties with Beloborodova, while Lydia Boyd handles the mast.
Andres, who has raced internationally with Thomson’s 2.0 Racing since 2022, won silver at both the 2024 and 2025 Women’s Match Racing Championships.
Rees was part of the 2.0 Racing crew that won bronze at the 2022 World Match Racing Championship, while Copeland also claimed bronze at the 2022 worlds.
The crew is predominantly New Zealand, with American sailors Tsai and Beloborodova completing the team.
The championship is being contested in 20 IC37s, a 37-foot one-design keelboat designed by Mark Mills. The powerful, athletic boats place a premium on crew work and coordination, with five days of racing following two mandatory practice days.
Click here to follow the races live.
Latest results and standings here.
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