Pensacola Yacht Club Women Celebrate Historic Win at GYA Knost Championship After 53 Years

Pensacola Yacht Club Women Celebrate GYA Knost Championship Victory

After an impressive 53-year wait, the women of the Pensacola Yacht Club (PYC) are back on top, having clinched the Gulf Yachting Association (GYA) Knost Ladies Championship. The championship took place on August 8-9 in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where the PYC team showcased their skills and determination, ultimately bringing home the prestigious Knost Perpetual Trophy for the first time since achieving three consecutive wins in 1971, 1972, and 1973.

A Team of Excellence

The successful PYC team featured standout members including Katy Morgan, Mallory Edwards, Celia Houston, Aubin Hattendorf, and Linnea Forsberg. Each of these women has excelled not only in sailing but also in their academic and military pursuits. Notably, Celia Houston is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and is currently a student pilot. Meanwhile, Aubin Hattendorf and Linnea Forsberg are graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy and serving as student Naval Flight Officers (NFOs).

Under the expert coaching of Mike Levert and Hamrick Morgan, the team was expertly prepared for the competition. Levert, a sailor with notable achievements in the national scene competing in the Melges 15, played a key role in coaching the team. Hamrick Morgan, who is also a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and a Naval Aviator stationed at NAS Pensacola, is also the husband of the team captain, Katy Morgan, adding a personal touch to their coaching dynamic.

Significance of the Victory

Reflecting on this historic win, PYC Vice Commodore Susan Domagala highlighted the hard work of the women involved in building a robust sailing program at the club. “This is an incredible moment for Pensacola Yacht Club and especially for the women who have worked so hard to build and strengthen our women’s sailing program,” she stated. “To bring this championship home after 53 years is something we will remember for a very long time.” The victory marks a significant cultural moment, intertwining the history of the Pensacola Yacht Club with the legacy of women in sailing.

Established in 1938, the Knost Championship stands as the premier women's interclub sailing event within the Gulf Yachting Association. What began as an invitational women's regatta in Pass Christian has evolved into a longstanding tradition of sailing excellence along the Gulf Coast.

Ties to the Military Community

This momentous win not only celebrates the achievements of the sailing team but also underscores the PYC’s bond with Pensacola’s military community. Centered around Naval Air Station Pensacola, known as the 'Cradle of Naval Aviation,' the club has developed a U.S. Service Academy Membership Program aimed at keeping active service academy sailors connected to sailing while they navigate their military careers.

Three of the team members boast connections to the Friends of Navy Sailing (FONS), an organization that supports service academy sailors during and beyond their college experiences. The synergy between PYC, FONS, and the current championship-winning team underscores the local commitment to advancing both military and sailing pursuits in Pensacola.

As the 2026 Knost victory is celebrated, it adds another storied chapter to the legacy of competitive sailing at Pensacola Yacht Club, marking an end to a long-standing championship drought and paving the way for future excellence in women’s sailing.