Meet Race Skipper Wendy Tuck

After two Australian race victories, Wendy Tuck is hoping to add to her nations accolades by becoming Australia’s first female Clipper Race winner.

The fifty year old from Sydney is relishing the huge physical and mental challenge of taking her crew through Mother Nature’s toughest environments and Wendy says: “I’m looking forward to the whole awesomeness of racing round the world and watching people grow their sailing skills.

“My main aim is to have a happy confident crew who have a great time, but I’d also like to be up the pointy end of the results. I hope my crew will get off saying it was the best thing they have ever done, and that they will stay in contact for years after.”

Wendy has spent the last decade as an RYA sailing instructor and charter skipper as well as competing in eight Rolex Sydney-Hobart Races, which means she is only two races away from achieving her lifetime goal of ten, and making it on to the CYCA honours list.

One of races which makes up Leg 4 of the Clipper 2015-16 Race is the Rolex Sydney-Hobart, so on completion of that, Wendy will be one step closer to her target. Wendy adds: “I’m really proud of the fact that when I discovered how much I loved sailing, I made a career out of it.

“One of my most memorable moments on the water was sailing a small boat up through the Whitsunday Islands, where Leg 4 finishes in the Clipper 2015-16 Race. I was on watch by myself all night as the owner of the yacht was sick and I could hear whales singing all around me. In contrast, another great day was taking Oprah Winfrey and Russell Crowe sailing in Sydney Harbour.”

Five things about Wendy

My biggest strength is: I think that I can relate to all people

I have a weakness for: chocolate… ok seriously, that I might not push people hard enough

I am inspired by: Kay Cottee and Ellen McArthur

My family would describe me as: slightly mad

If I wasn’t a sailor, I would be: a pro surfer, that’s my dream job

To read more about all our Clipper 2015-16 Race skippers click here