An all-female sailing team takes to the waters of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2026
by Dr. Karolina Stefanski 27 Sep 22:17 PDT
1 October 2026

SY Nostromino II – All-Female Sailing Team © Gstaad Yacht Club
Seven women, one yacht, one shared passion: SY Nostromino II brings together an international female crew under the Gstaad Yacht Club burgee.
An all-female sailing team will make its debut at this year's Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez aboard SY Nostromino II, a Wally Nano sailing yacht generously provided and sponsored by Sir Andrew Cook.
Sailing under the burgee of the Gstaad Yacht Club (GYC), Switzerland, the newly assembled team brings together women from different sailing backgrounds, united by their passion for the sea, competitive sailing and the opportunity to participate in one of the Mediterranean's most celebrated regattas.
The initiative represents an exciting milestone for the crew, who will come together for the first time as a team at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2026.
Meet the all-female crew
The team has been assembled by Poppy Neill of the Royal Thames Yacht Club (RTYC), who will also serve as Team Captain.
The crew brings together sailors with complementary skills and experience:
| Crew Member | Yacht Club | Position |
| Poppy Neill | Royal Thames Yacht Club (RTYC) | Team Captain |
| Hannah Bibby | Royal Thames Yacht Club (RTYC) | Bow |
| Fenella Neill | Royal Thames Yacht Club (RTYC) | Mainsail |
| Catherine Brooke | — | Tactician |
| Monique | Hayling Island Sailing Club (HISC) | Helm |
| Ceci Wollmann | Royal Thames Yacht Club (RTYC) | Trimmer |
| Dr. Karolina Stefanski | Gstaad Yacht Club (GYC) | Team Manager & Public Relations |
While the sailors bring their own individual experience to the project, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez will mark their first opportunity to sail together as a team.
Against this backdrop, the participation of an entirely female crew aboard Nostromino II adds another dimension to the event.
The team hopes to contribute to the visibility of women in sailing while sharing the experience of bringing together a new crew for one of the Mediterranean's most distinctive regattas.
The initiative celebrates female participation in competitive sailing and demonstrates the importance of collaboration, shared expertise and bringing together women from different sailing communities.
Sir Andrew Cook and Nostromino II: Supporting women in sailing
The project has been made possible through the generous support of Sir Andrew Cook, who is providing his Wally Nano, SY Nostromino II, and sponsoring the all-female crew for Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez 2026.
His support creates an opportunity for a newly formed women's team to compete at an internationally recognised regatta aboard a yacht that combines traditional sailing elegance with contemporary design and performance.
The initiative reflects a shared enthusiasm for sailing and an interest in creating opportunities for women to participate in competitive yachting.
Wally Nano: Where tradition meets innovation
Beyond the crew itself, Nostromino II represents an exceptional combination of traditional yachting heritage and contemporary design.
The Wally Nano brings together elegant lines, performance and modern technology, with a strong emphasis on craftsmanship, quality and small-series production.
Produced by Doomernik Yachts under the direction of Joop Doomernik, the yacht reflects a philosophy in which traditional boatbuilding expertise meets innovative design and engineering.
Its participation at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez offers an opportunity to celebrate both the human and technical dimensions of sailing: the skills and teamwork of the crew, as well as the craftsmanship behind the yacht.