Team Granate SA Women's Sailing turns international recognition into opportunity for next generation
by Robyn Patrick 20 Oct 09:33 PDT
Team Granate SA Women's Sailing © Paul Todd / OUTSIDEIMAGES.COM
A group of South African women has returned from the international sailing stage with a mission that extends beyond competition.
Following months of preparation and an unforgettable campaign in the United States, Team Granate SA Women's Sailing is turning its Sportsmanship Award recognition into an opportunity to give back to the South African sailing community.
In September 2026, Team Granate represented South Africa at the inaugural New York Yacht Club (NYYC) Women's International Championship in Newport, Rhode Island, USA. Competing against 19 other international teams in the high-performance IC37 class, the South African team finished tied for 13th overall in a highly competitive international fleet.
The championship brought together highly accomplished women sailors from around the world, including multiple time olympians, Americas Cup, SailGP and Rolex World Sailor of the Year recipients, creating an opportunity for South African talent to compete internationally, gain valuable experience and showcase the strength of women's sailing in the country.
One of the most meaningful moments of the campaign was receiving the Sportsmanship Award, recognising the values of respect, integrity, teamwork and camaraderie that sit at the heart of the sport.
For Team Granate, however, the significance of the award goes beyond the championship itself. It has created an opportunity to invest in the sailing community that helped make the campaign possible.
A team built on commitment and collaboration
The campaign began in February 2026, bringing together a group of women committed to developing their sailing skills and representing South Africa on an international stage.
Led by co-captains Robyn Patrick and Dominique Provoyeur, the team worked through months of preparation to meet the physical, technical and tactical demands of international racing.
The crew comprised Megan Eccleston, Allyssa van Rensburg, Yonela Temela, Jordyn Soldin, Michaela Robinson, Penny Alison, Lara Dugas and Kathleen Rand.
Preparation extended well beyond time on the water. The campaign incorporated physical conditioning, technical sailing development, rules education and performance preparation, supported by a wider network of coaches, mentors, sponsors such as Granate Asset Management and top south african brand Jonsson Workwear.
While the tied 13th-place finish provided valuable international racing experience, the Sportsmanship Award held a particularly special place in the campaign. It recognised the way the team approached the competition and engaged with the wider sailing community.
Turning recognition into opportunity
As part of this recognition, Team Granate received a monetary voucher from Helly Hansen, prominent international Norwegian outdoor, sports, and workwear brand founded in 1877.
Rather than keeping the benefit exclusively within the campaign, the team wants to use this opportunity to support the next generation of South African sailors.
Team Granate is inviting South African Sailing-recognised training centres and sailing academies across South Africa to apply for consideration for support through a new giving-back initiative.
Centres are invited to share information about their programmes, the sailors they support, their equipment and clothing needs, and how assistance could make a meaningful difference to their work.
The intention is to use the Helly Hansen voucher to provide relevant gear to support these programmes and the sailors who benefit from them, rather than distributing direct cash payments.
For many training centres, access to suitable sailing clothing and equipment can help make the sport more accessible and support the development of young and aspiring sailors. By inviting centres to explain their individual needs, Team Granate hopes to identify opportunities to make a practical contribution to sailing development in different communities.
Robyn Patrick, co-captain of Team Granate, said:
"Receiving the Sportsmanship Award in Newport was incredibly special for us. We put so much into this campaign, and being recognised for the way we approached the competition meant a huge amount to the team.
But what makes this even more meaningful is the opportunity to bring something back home. Sailing in South Africa is not a well-funded sport, and so many incredible programmes are doing amazing work with limited resources. Funding can be the difference between someone simply wanting to sail and actually having the opportunity to do so, particularly in less-resourced communities.
We wanted to use this award to give something back to the sport that has given us so much. And for me, this is just the beginning. I'd love to keep the momentum of this campaign going and use it to help grow women's sailing in South Africa, create more opportunities for women to get involved, and help progress in the sport. If we can play even a small part in making that happen, then that's something we can be really proud of."
Investing in the future of South African sailing
Sailing development depends on more than boats and race results. Access to equipment, suitable clothing, experienced coaches and supportive training environments can all play an important role in helping sailors progress and remain involved in the sport.
Through this initiative, Team Granate hopes to shine a light on the work being done by sailing academies and training centres around the country, while directing practical support towards programmes that need it.
Applications are open to SA Sailing-recognised training centres and sailing academies until 18 November 2026.
Centres are encouraged to share their stories, explain their needs and outline how support could benefit their sailors and wider programmes.
For Team Granate, the initiative reflects a belief that sporting success should extend beyond the results achieved on the racecourse. The opportunity to represent South Africa internationally was made possible through the support of a wider sailing community, and the team hopes to pass some of that opportunity on to those coming up behind them.
From competing in Newport to supporting sailing development at home, Team Granate's next chapter is about ensuring that the values recognised through the Sportsmanship Award continue to make a difference long after the final race.