Noroton Yacht Club Sets 12-Skipper Lineup for 2026 Susan Widmann Sinclair Women’s Championship

نوروٹون Yacht Club has confirmed a 12-boat fleet for the 2026 Susan Widmann Sinclair Women’s Championship to be sailed in Sonars on May 16–17, with skippers selected by resume and the entry list including the top three finishers from 2025: Carmen Cowles (winner), Katrina Williams (second), and Erin Maxwell (third).

Confirmed Skippers and Clubs

The selection for the Sinclair Championship expanded from eight teams in 2025 to a full twelve-boat roster in 2026, bringing together established champions and rising woman sailors from across North America and Bermuda. The list of appointed skippers reads as follows.

Entry List Snapshot

The published entry list mirrors the selection: twelve Sonar teams with crew rosters ranging from single-skipper entries to full three- or four-person teams. Notable boat names and crew combinations include Carmen Cowles’ “Spice Girls” and Erin Maxwell’s “Moms Gone Wild,” while several entries list club boats without a formal boat name.

• بحری بیڑا size: 12 Sonars
• تواريخ: May 16–17, 2026
• Host: Noroton Yacht Club, Darien, CT

Race Officials, Trophy Invitations, and Championship Background

Shannon Bush will return as Principal Race Officer (International Race Officer, experienced Etchells helm), and Jan O’Malley resumes duties as Chief Judge (National Judge, National Sailing Hall of Fame inductee, three-time US Sailing Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year). The 2025 winning team, led by Carmen Cowles, and the 2026 winning skipper will each receive invitations to compete for the New York Yacht Club’s 2027 Joan H. Towse Trophy at the Women’s Championship.

The Sinclair Championship began in 2023 to meet growing demand for national-level women’s keelboat regattas. The event honors Sue Sinclair, a lifelong Noroton Yacht Club sailor, and has quickly become a focal point for women’s sailing development and competitive keelboat racing.

Event Documents and Logistics

Visitor Notes and Tourism Angle

Darien and nearby Larchmont and Noroton offer convenient on-water viewing points and classic New England hospitality for visiting crews and spectators. For travelers looking to combine racing with local culture, the regatta weekend typically draws dining, lodging, and shore-side activities — an attractive short-break for sailing fans and families alike. To have a mind to plan well, arrive early for slip assignments, shore-side parking, and spectator launches that often run alongside the race course.

Even the most detailed race previews and honest feedback can’t substitute for personal experience. On GetExperience, you book your experience from verified providers at reasonable prices, which empowers you to make the most informed decision without unnecessary expenses or disappointments. For Darien and the surrounding area, GetExperience offers a range of local tours and shore-side options that can complement a regatta weekend, from museum tours with live guides to coastal sightseeing — Book now GetExperience.com

At a glance: the 2026 Susan Widmann Sinclair Women’s Championship brings a stronger fleet, top-tier race management, and connections to national-level prizes. Whether you’re tracking the podium contenders like Carmen Cowles, Katrina Williams, and Erin Maxwell or planning shore-side activities, the event offers both competitive sailing and a chance to enjoy regional travel experiences. From adventure activities and eco-friendly wildlife safaris to luxury adventure travel experiences, online virtual tours, and interactive cultural workshops, travelers can pair regatta attendance with diverse options such as yacht parties, cruise packages, safari tours, beginner esports coaching sessions, or museum tours with live guides to create a full, memorable trip. In short, the Sinclair Championship is a compact spring regatta with big tourism potential — plan early, expect competitive Sonar racing, and enjoy the local scene.