Megan Thomson leads New Zealand crew to 14th at inaugural Women’s International Championship

Megan Thomson and her New Zealand crew finished 14th at the inaugural New York Yacht Club Women’s International Championship, capping a demanding week of racing against 19 international teams in Newport, Rhode Island.

Representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, the Kiwi crew brought Olympic pedigree, world championship experience and international match-racing success to a landmark event that brought 20 all-women teams from 13 nations together.

Thomson finished the 10-race regatta with a best result of sixth on the final day, scoring 19, 18, 9, 12, 13, 11, 13, 16, 8 and 6 to finish on 125 points.

American Megan Grapengeter-Rudnick and Team Vigilant won the championship, establishing a commanding lead over the opening four days before securing the inaugural title.

For Thomson, reaching the starting line in Newport was an achievement in itself.

The Auckland sailor had arrived in Rhode Island straight from The Ocean Race Atlantic, where she co-skippered fellow Kiwi Conrad Colman’s MSIG Europe alongside a predominantly New Zealand crew.

The team finished sixth in the inaugural transatlantic race on 12 September, completing the shortened course in nine days, seven hours and 40 minutes. Thomson then made the dash to Newport to rejoin her Women’s International Championship crew.

Just days later, she was back at the helm of a powerful IC37, competing against some of the world’s leading female sailors.

The New Zealand crew included a mix of match racing, world championship, offshore and America's Cup experience. Photos / Outside Images

The New Zealand team featured an impressive mix of sailing talent.

Leslie Egnot called tactics, bringing extensive America’s Cup experience from her time as skipper and helm of America3, the all-women’s team that narrowly missed out on the opportunity to defend the America’s Cup against Dennis Conner and Stars & Stripes.

Jenny Egnot, a three-time Olympic campaigner who represented New Zealand in the 470 at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, handled main trim, while Ella Arnold took jib trim.

The crew also included Allie Tsai, Sara Tucker, Ellie Copeland, Chelsea Rees, Josi Andres, Irina Beloborodova and Lydia Boyd.

Several sailors brought significant match-racing credentials. Andres has raced internationally with Thomson’s 2.0 Racing since 2022 and won silver at the 2024 and 2025 Women’s Match Racing Championships.

Rees was part of the 2.0 Racing crew that claimed bronze at the 2022 World Match Racing Championship, while Copeland also won bronze at those world championships.

American sailors Tsai and Beloborodova completed the predominantly New Zealand crew.

The championship, held from 15–19 September at New York Yacht Club’s Harbour Court, marked the inaugural edition of an event designed to bring leading female sailors together in the Club’s fleet of 20 IC37 one-design keelboats.

The 37-foot boats, designed by Mark Mills, are powerful and athletic, rewarding cohesive crew work, communication and coordination.

The New Zealand team’s campaign formed part of a week of high-level international competition, with teams representing 13 nations and a range of Olympic, match-racing and keelboat backgrounds.

The next edition of the Women’s International Championship is scheduled for September 2028.

Final results and standings here.