Partners

Partner Spotlight: Robie Pierce Regatta

“Launched in 2008, the Robie Pierce Regatta is an important collaboration between the Larchmont Yacht Club and the American Yacht Club. The affectionately called “Robie” has become one of the largest adaptive regattas in North America, thanks to the growing community of supporters and mission of inclusiveness. For sailors of different physical, visual and neurological abilities, this yearly competition on Long Island Sound pairs them with able-bodied team members who can assist in any actions or activities they are unable to perform. Adapted Ideal 18s are provided by the Organizing Authority, with customized modifications that reflect each sailor’s disability. The weekend-long event includes a Women’s Invitational, as well as men’s and women’s One Design racing with more than 50 sailors of different abilities.

Learn More About Robie

The Sailing Foundation of New York has been a mainstay of the Robie Pierce Regattas’ operating plan for at least a decade. By allowing supporters of our disabled sailors event to make contributions in a deductible manner has proven a mechanism keeping sponsors coming back year-after-year. And, with SFNY managing our assets as they do, it allows those on the committee to focus on the important things: the sailors. Without SFNY, the Robie Pierce Regatta for sailors with disabilities could not have sustained itself since 2008.
Buttons Padin, Robie Pierce Regatta co-chair

Partner Spotlight: Erica Lush

Erica Lush is a determined offshore sailor with a passion for performance. She has sailed over 80,000 offshore miles, including a circumnavigation and ocean crossings in IMOCA 60 and Class 40 racing yachts. She is committed to carving a pathway for other women and emerging American talent at the highest level. Erica first received support from the SFNY and the Performance Sailing Fund of NYYC in 2024 when she competed in the Offshore Double-Handed World Championships in Lorient, France — an important early step toward her ultimate goal, the Vendée Globe.

In 2025, recognizing French dominance in offshore racing, Erica formed a plan not to beat them, but join them. She was accepted into the French training center, relocated to Lorient, and campaigned for the Solitaire du Figaro. This single-handed marathon has long been an essential training ground for future Vendee Globe skippers. With SFNY’s support she became the third American to ever compete in this legendary event, completing 7 solo offshore races and covering over 4,000 race miles. On her path to a 2032 Vendée Globe campaign, Erica returns to the Figaro 3 fleet in 2026, refining her skills in a cost-effective one-design class alongside the world’s leading ocean-racing teams.

SFNY has not only made it possible for me to raise the funds necessary for my campaign, but they’ve been incredibly helpful through the process: Taking care to explain the procedures, working with me to show clear bookkeeping, and timely reimbursements of campaign expenses. These qualities made it possible for me to accomplish an enormous goal and progress in my career.
Erica Lush

Partner Spotlight: Ravi Parent

Ravi holds a strong resume as a multiple World and National Champion sailor and the 2022 US Sailing Rolex Yachtsman of the Year. His Engineering background allows him to apply a refined technical approach to racing that has proven successful across multiple classes. He has occasionally branched out into other high performance boats such as the Moth and M32, and spent several years in an Olympic Class racing the Nacra 17. His current campaigns in the A-Cat and F18 are pushing technical development and promoting mixed gender teams, chasing the records of his role models in the sport.

Ravi brings his expertise and passion to Foiling camps and youth mentorship, a reflection of his character, kindness and dedication to the sport.

The Sailing Foundation of New York has been a fundamental part of my campaigns since 2018. By providing a framework for receiving donations and grant support, the Foundation has allowed me to spend more energy in key performance areas. This leads to more hours on the water, better sail design choices and foil testing, and podium results. This also frees up time for supporting fleets, becoming more involved with leadership roles. My long partnership with the Sailing Foundation of New York is proof that their support makes a difference!
Ravi Parent