Cascadia Sailing is set to compete in the inaugural New York Yacht Club International Women’s Championship, scheduled for September 2026 in Newport, Rhode Island.
The event will be sailed in the NYYC’s matched fleet of 20 IC37s and is expected to feature top athletes from the Olympics, SailGP, the PUIG Women’s America’s Cup, and offshore and collegiate circuits. The team name, Cascadia Sailing, was chosen to reflect the coastal connection and collaborative spirit shared between this group of sailors from the Pacific Northwest. The team began to take shape when sailmaker and active Canadian keelboat racer Joy Dahlgren reached out to Christina Wolfe, a beloved and highly respected Pacific Northwest sailor who was awarded the prestigious US Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year Award in 2023, to explore building a regional team for the NYYC International Women’s Championship.
Although the team had not sailed together prior to forming, the sailors were already connected through shared racing experiences, mutual respect, and regional ties. With Christina as skipper and Joy as team captain, the crew is unified by a strong sense of purpose and a commitment to excellence across both sides of the border.
Among the sailors associated with Cascadia Sailing are Wind Athletes Maura Dewey (PUIG Women’s America’s Cup – AC40), Tara Golonka (49erFX campaign), and Grace Poole (470 campaign). Other accomplished Canadian sailors training with the team include Royal Victoria Yacht Club Sailing Coach Kate Sargent, as well as Sarah Turpie, Zoe Folsetter, and Becky Kelly.
With IC37 Hull #35 based at Royal Victoria Yacht Club, Cascadia Sailing is pursuing a full calendar of structured training, coached sessions, regattas, and cross-training events through 2025 and 2026.
A key factor in Cascadia Sailing’s success is the ability to fund a comprehensive campaign. The team welcomes sponsorships and donations to support its Canadian athletes and the campaign as a whole.
Please consider making a tax deductible contribution to support the campaign through Wind Athletes Canada and help bring this ambitious and inspiring project to life.
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Learn more about the NYYC International Women’s Championship.