Women in Sports Day
February 5, 2025
In honor of National Women in Sports Day, we are recognizing women and girls who sail and who have ties to Narragansett Bay. There are so many incredibly talented women sailors in our area that this was a challenging task but we have featured a few of the well-known, not so well-known and sailors-in-the-making below.
Please join us to share their stories and encourage women and girls of all ages to learn to sail, improve their skills, race, cruise, and enjoy the sport.
Sara Stone
Professional Sailor
A native of Marion, MA, Sara raced in the first ever Puig Women’s America’s Cup in 2024 as a member of the American Magic Women’s Team and sailed on Upwind by MerConcept – an all-female multihull racing project. Also, she sailed in the 2024 TP52 Super Series with Quantum Racing, was a finalist for the 2022 US Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year, sailed on the US SailGP Team and won the 2022 Bermuda-Newport Double Handed Return Race.
Image: Racing on board the OceanFifty trimaran Upwind by MerConcept in St Malo, France. May 2024, the only all-female team. @volivaud
Erica Lush
Offshore Sailor
From Jamestown, R.I., Erica is a fierce American Offshore sailor with over 75,000 ocean miles, including racing through the Southern Ocean via the three “Great Capes.” Currently, she is gearing up for the Solitaire du Figaro-multi-stage, solo offshore sailing race in France. Erika was crew on the Maiden Factor and won line honors int the 2022 Bermuda Shorthanded Return Race.
Image: Cate Brown
Hannah Swett
Champion Sailor
Hannah Swett lives in Jamestown, R.I. She was the 2003 Rolex Yachtswomen of the Year and is a finalist again for 2024. She is often on the podium of many races including second place in the 2024 Women’s 2v2 Team Race, she won 3rd place IC37 North American Championship on her boat, MO, and she is the 2024 Women’s Champion as the New York Yacht Club team. Hannah also serves as the board president of the Conanicut Island Sailing Foundation.
Photo Credit: Scott Trauth Photography (Hannah in blue)
Linda Lindquist-Bishop
A Sailor of Firsts
Linda lives in Newport, R.I. (Pictured above – top sailor in pit) She crewed on the first all-women’s America3 Cup team; she has sailed on over 100 teams, winning two Farr 40 World Championships (2004, 2009) and multiple national championships. Linda was also named by Glamour magazine’s “Women of the Year” (1995) and by Lifetime Television on their list of “100 Women of the Century” (1997). Linda is the fleet manager for GL52 Racing in the U.S. and also serves on the Advisory Council of Sail Newport.
Robyn Earley
Spirit Racer
Robyn is an avid sailor making the most of racing in and around Mt Hope and Narragansett Bay. She started racing in Newport on the 12 meter Columbia and in the Shields fleet and is now a regular on the J92 Spirit. Robyn helped to coordinate JFest when she first moved to RI and most recent served as the first female Commodore of the Twenty Hundred Club. Robyn’s experience includes off shore sailing including multiple trips to the Caribbean, sailing the 141′ Schooner Columbia down to Florida and helming a 50ft yacht in the Newport to Bermuda race.
Image: Stephen R Cloutier
Orláith Neylon
SN Big Boat Program
Orláith, currently a student at CCRI, has trained and advanced as a sailor as part of the Sail Newport EOS Big Boat Program. Orláith loves being part of a crew and what sailing brings to her life and says, “The ability to follow directions, even when you don’t totally agree with them, is an important part of racing and sailing in general. You are part of a team that must work together to sail well. To be a good leader, you must first learn how to follow and work as a team with other people.” She is also a sailmaker which contributes to her overall knowledge and skills for racing and sailing.
Image: Evan Smith
Alondra, 6th Grade
Sail Newport Sailor
“I feel that sailing is a very useful skill. Sailing can help multiple people become leaders.”
In fourth grade, Alondra of Newport first experienced and fell in love with sailing through the Sail Newport Pell School Science & Sailing Program. Now in seventh grade, she has participated in the Thompson Middle School Marine Exploration Program for two years, run by Sail Newport Education Programs Manager Cortney Kingsley. Alondra also comes to sail with us at the annual AdventureSail Day for girls.
Chantee, 5th Grade
Sail Newport Sailor
“I learned how to sail and how to not be scared on the boat. I was nervous too but I learned not to be nervous. You should do it because it is fun.”
Like Alondra, Newporter Chantee (Pictured above left) became excited about sailing through the Sail Newport Pell School Science & Sailing Program in fourth Grade. She also sails with us in the annual AdventureSail for girls.