Sailing Community Rallies Behind Olympic Hopefuls, Raising Record-Breaking $1.5 Million at Golden Spinnaker Gala

More than 370 members of the sailing community and 27 Olympic athlete hopefuls gathered in Newport as the Sailing Foundation of New York made a historic investment in the road to Los Angeles 2028.

NEWPORT, R.I. (June 2026) — The Sailing Foundation of New York’s 2026 Golden Spinnaker Gala, hosted by the New York Yacht Club in Newport, RI, raised more than $1.5 million in support of American sailors pursuing their Olympic dreams, setting a new benchmark for fundraising in support of Olympic sailing in the United States.

Held on June 11 at New York Yacht Club Harbour Court, the Golden Spinnaker brought together more than 370 supporters of American sailing for an evening focused on the athletes striving to represent Team USA at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

“This extraordinary result reflects the sailing community’s belief in our athletes and their potential to succeed on the world stage,” said Thomas Stark, President and Co-Founder of the Sailing Foundation of New York. “The road to the Olympic Games requires years of commitment, sacrifice and perseverance. We were honored to welcome the athletes to the Golden Spinnaker and share their stories with our guests. Their dedication inspires us, and the Sailing Foundation of New York remains as committed as ever to helping athletes succeed at the highest level.”

The record-breaking fundraising total comes at a pivotal moment for Olympic sailing in the U.S. Unlike many international competitors, American sailors rely heavily on private support to fund coaching, training, equipment, travel and international competition. Every dollar raised through the Golden Spinnaker helps provide athletes with the resources necessary to develop, compete, and ultimately earn the opportunity to represent the United States at the Olympic Games.

A defining feature of the evening was the presence of 27 athletes from across the Olympic Classes. During a cocktail reception overlooking Newport Harbor, guests had the opportunity to meet the sailors, hear firsthand about their journeys, and gain a deeper understanding of the commitment required to compete at the highest levels of the sport. Select boats on display provided additional insight into the athleticism, technology and precision that define modern Olympic sailing.

Throughout the evening, athletes shared stories of perseverance, resilience and ambition, offering a personal look into the realities of pursuing Olympic success. For many guests, the conversations reinforced both the magnitude of the challenge and the importance of the community that stands behind these athletes throughout their journey.

SFNY extends its sincere gratitude to the New York Yacht Club for its longstanding partnership and unwavering support of the Golden Spinnaker Gala. Now in its ninth edition over the past 27 years, the Golden Spinnaker continues to demonstrate the sailing community’s enduring commitment to supporting athletes on their advanced-level international paths.

The Foundation also recognizes Event Chair Alexandra Cummiskey for her leadership and dedication in bringing the evening together, and Commodore Clare Harrington, whose thoughtful emceeing guided guests through a memorable celebration of the athletes and the community supporting them.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation by Gary Jobson, featuring an exclusive film created for the event. Through athlete-led storytelling and insight into the Olympic Games and sailing classes, the film provided guests with a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing America’s Olympic hopefuls. Hearing directly from the athletes themselves brought the Olympic journey to life in a powerful and deeply personal way.

Special guest Doug DeVos delivered an inspiring message about the impact that individuals and communities can have when they invest in the next generation of American sailors and the importance of ensuring talented athletes have the resources they need to pursue excellence. The evening concluded with a spirited live auction and paddle raise led by Tash Perrin, whose energy and enthusiasm inspired extraordinary generosity in support of the athletes at the heart of the Foundation’s mission.

The Sailing Foundation of New York is also grateful to the New York Yacht Club Flag Officers, members, guests, and staff; table hosts; auction donors; volunteers; and the hundreds of supporters whose generosity made this historic result possible.

As American sailors continue their journey toward Los Angeles 2028, the impact of this support will be felt on training grounds, at international regattas, and in the daily pursuit of excellence required to compete for Olympic medals. The success of the 2026 Golden Spinnaker Gala sends a clear message to these athletes: the sailing community believes in them, stands behind them and is committed to helping them succeed.

_{Photos: Josh Edenbaum}

Funds from the Golden Spinnaker are allocated exclusively by the SFNY in strict accordance with SFNY policies. All funds go to support athletes seeking to compete in the 2028 Games or ultimately competing in the 2028 Games. It is important to note that athletes will not be selected until mid/late 2027. 14 sailor athletes – regardless of their affiliation or how they were selected to join Team USA – will compete in Long Beach and represent our country. The SFNY stands ready to support this team in a fair and equitable manner, as we have done for 26 years.