Two-Time Olympic Medalist Embraces New Challenge with Women's International Championship

With three world championships, two Olympic medals and the legacy as one of China's greatest sailors, Lijia Xu knows plenty about athletic success. But she knows significantly less about achieving it with a group. All of her past sailing successes have come in singlehanded boats, particularly the Optimist and ILCA 6 (née Laser Radial).

This September she will try to add to her palmares a podium performance at the inaugural New York Yacht Club Women's International Championship, which will be sailed out the New York Yacht Club Harbour Court in Newport, R.I., September 12 to 19. The regatta will use the Club's fleet of identical IC37 yachts, which are typically sailed by nine to 11 people.

“Taking charge of the communication with a group of people, making plans and making things happen, just the beginning stage of being a skipper is already quite demanding for me," says Xu (at left and above), who will lead a team representing the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club. "The biggest challenge is the transition from just doing my own things well to now needing to look after a group of people. I am certainly not very used to it.”

The inaugural edition of the New York Yacht Club International Women’s Championship will take place September 12 to 19 at the New York Yacht Club Harbour Court in Newport, R.I. The regatta will utilize the Club's fleet of 20 IC37s. The 37-foot keelboat was designed by Mark Mills to a brief developed by the Club. The IC37 is a powerful, sporty platform that rewards cohesive crew work and athleticism. The Women's International Championship is supported by founding partner Rolex and regatta sponsor Helly Hansen. The list of 20 confirmed skippers can be viewed here.

Despite her inexperience with larger crews and the fact that her team has not been able to practice together yet, Xu has confidence in her team's ability to mesh quickly and learn the nuances of racing the IC37. Outside of Newport, getting access to an IC37 can be a significant challenge, though there are similar boats around the world.

“The Olympic campaign experience equipped me with all the discipline needed to do things in the best way I can,” she said. “It is something I find as my strength everywhere I go and everything I do nowadays after retirement.”

Team Aurora, helmed by Lena Weißkichel, of Germany, and supported by the Magenta Project, finds itself in a similar situation. With a crew of 10 sailors representing seven different countries, as well as additional women covering media, weather and data analysis, getting everyone in the same place for training is a complex challenge. Technology is helping the team hone its crew work prior to the event.

"We've had several virtual/dry trainings to coordinate maneuvers and communication ahead of any on-water training,” says Megan Bowling, the team’s onshore support, "as well as monthly virtual team building sessions with The Magenta Project mentor Marjoleine Hulshof.”

The team has secured support from Long Beach Yacht Club, Seattle Yacht Club Foundation and private donors.

“An aurora is a rare phenomenon created when powerful energies meet across hemispheres,” Bowling says. “Like the lights that unite the world’s skies, our team brings together elite women sailors from across the world to shine as one.”

Xu, Weißkichel, and their respective crews will be joined by 18 other teams with similar international presences, demonstrating not only the scale of the event’s competition, but its significance in women’s sailing.

Interested sailors are encouraged to complete the Women's International Championship Crew Finder by clicking here. The submitted information will only be available to qualified Women’s International Championship skippers.