Golden Spinnaker Gala 2026

2026 Golden Spinnaker Gala
Thursday, June 11, 2026
New York Yacht Club – Harbour Court
Newport, RI

New York Yacht Club is pleased to partner with the Sailing Foundation of New York in presenting the 2026 Golden Spinnaker Gala in support of sailor athletes training to represent our nation at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

This memorable evening will include cocktails and dinner, a silent auction, paddle raise, and dancing under the stars. Guests will have an opportunity to meet an inspiring group of Olympic hopefuls who have risen to the top tier of sailing in the United States and aspire to represent our country at the 2028 Olympics. The evening promises to be a celebration of sailing, world-class sailors and patriotic spirit.

Sailing made its Olympic debut in 1900 and, aside from 1904, has been a proud part of the games ever since. The United States was a formidable presence for a long time, second only to Great Britain in total Olympic sailing medals won. The 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles marked a high point for the United States, with three golds and four silvers for the US team, followed by nine podium finishes in Barcelona in 1992.

In recent decades, however, our sailors – despite their extraordinary talent and determination – have faced a growing challenge for funding. Unlike many nations with near fully-funded Olympic sailing programs, American athletes rely on private support. The result: time spent fundraising instead of training and competing.

For 25 years, the Sailing Foundation of New York (SFNY), a 501(c)3 organization, has consistently stepped in to bridge this gap. SFNY provides direct support to eligible athletes for critical needs such as coaching, travel, meals and lodging, allowing sailors to focus on excelling on the water.

Through the Golden Spinnaker Gala, New York Yacht Club has proudly partnered with SFNY for more than 15 years in advancing this mission. The first Golden Spinnaker Gala was held in 2003 and since then, eight Golden Spinnaker events have provided vital support to sailor athletes on the quest for Olympic gold.

Join Us in June
The 2026 Golden Spinnaker Gala continues this important tradition. Registration will open in October through the SFNY website and will include options for sponsorships, table purchases and individual tickets.

If you are unable to attend, we encourage you to participate by becoming a sponsor or by making a donation. Your generosity fuels the dreams of America’s top sailors and helps restore our nation’s standing as an Olympic sailing powerhouse.

Together, let’s return to Los Angeles and to Olympic glory.

DONATE 
REGISTER FOR THE EVENT (Opening in October)

2026 Golden Spinnaker Gala Event Committee

Clare G. Harrington
Vice Commodore,  New York Yacht Club

Event Chair: Alexandra Cummiskey
Colette Bennett
George Hinman
George Isdale
Lauren Koch
Phil Lotz