IWD2024: Celebrating women in sailing

When Race Crew step on board to join their team they soon discover gender does not matter. Not one bit. All crew have to undergo and pass the four levels of world class intensive training, and as part of a team share responsibilities and roles whilst racing across the toughest oceans, whether that’s helming through a storm, pulling down sails or carrying out yacht maintenance.

Since its inception the Clipper Race has consistently attracted women and men to compete as equals in the toughest of ocean racing conditions. So far more than 1,500 women have been inspired to pause their careers as doctors, teachers, students, personal trainers and managers to race across the coldest, toughest and most remote stretches of ocean. On this race edition almost 200 women from 26 different nations have chosen to push themselves and cross oceans, with more women under age 50 participating than men in the same age bracket.

Image: Female Crew on Perseverance

In an industry dominated by men, female leadership is prevalent throughout the Clipper Race, with 60% of senior leadership women, as well as six of the 22 exceptional professional sailors leading their teams around the globe. These stats show solid steps in the right direction, however with the majority of sailing staff and Race Crew being male, there is a lot of work to be done in the sailing and adventure sports industry to increase participation.

We asked some of the sailors on this edition what it means to be breaking the barriers and what steps are critical to open up this life-changing sport:

Washington, DC Skipper Hannah Brewis: “When you're sailing across oceans, being male or female means very little. Really all that counts is you're resilient, tough, willing to learn and get your hands dirty, all with a good sense of humour. Whether you're male or female usually feels irrelevant.

“Saying this, there are still a lot more men in the sailing world then women, which is why I think having great female role models are crucial to balance this out. An everyday woman seeing other women cross an ocean might be the push they need to achieve something remarkable.”Image: Hannah Brewis

Washington, DC AQP Ella Hebron: “Having role models in any walk of life is important, whether they're male or female. Setting goals in sailing is particularly important, you need the drive from achieving goals to keep you going through the difficult points, a role model helps motivate you to set goals and always keep pushing. When I was first getting into the sailing industry, as a young female, seeing other women achieving the same that men were left no doubt in my mind that anything is possible, no matter your gender. In the Clipper Race, there are 22 professional sailors sailing around the world, the support that we provide each other is invaluable. Whether that's just a natter on the radio whilst at sea or sharing experiences and ways to develop in port.”

UNICEF AQP Laura Hampton: “We are over six months into our circumnavigation and have sailed halfway around the world. I have been simultaneously humbled by the power and majesty of the world’s oceans, yet empowered in my decision making and encouraged to grow by the team around me. Being so far from human society enables one to think beyond societal structures and challenge all kinds of boundaries.

“Women are phenomenal sailors. There is no doubt in that. Dee Caffari, Pip Hare, Cole Brauer, Kirsten Neuschäfer, Clarisse Crémer, Ellen MacArthur, Hannah Mills, Shirley Robertson, Dawn Riley, Tracey Edwards... the list goes on. There is no need to prove the value of women in this industry, that has been done for some time now. The effort now is in shifting the culture to a community that sees talent and recognises it. I have been fortunate to have great mentors in sailing around me, most of which are men, who have seen the bias in the industry and work to shift it. To move forward, it's all about collaboration, working to make our strongest team and playing to one another’s strengths.”

Image: Laura Hampton

Perseverance Skipper Ineke van der Weijden: “Whilst I would like this not to be an issue in this day and age, it seems it still needs to be stressed that women can be excellent, successful offshore sailors. This year's Clipper Race, with two female skippers, four female first mates and countless talented female crew forms no exception. The last Golden Globe Race was won by a woman, Kirsten Neuschäfer, the Ocean Globe Race this year has the legendary and highly successful all women's boat Maiden, more and more women, like Pip Hare and Clarisse Crémer, participate successfully in the Vendee Globe and women form an integral part of every Ocean Race boat. I for one am proud to call myself one amongst many.”

Image: Ineke Van Der Weijden

Lorraine O'Hanlon, 37, osteopath from Ireland, circumnavigating on Our Isles and Oceans: “Yes absolutely it is encouraging to see other women sailing because you think ‘Oh, can I do it?’ and you see them doing it and think of course, if she can do it, I can do it too. The morale and support you get from other women on this race is great as well. It takes a certain type of personality to do this, you have to be strong and every single woman on board any of these yachts is strong.”

Laura Amorim, 38, a lawyer and tattoo artist on Yacht Club Punta del Este: “My friends are all amazed. Every leg they ask me how it's going and to tell them everything. But it's so hard to put into words the experience. I’m looking forward to going home and maybe over a few beers start to tell them about it and motivating them to do more and reach out for big things, because we are absolutely capable. We can’t let this man’s world tell us we can’t do stuff; we can do anything we set our minds to.”

Image: Laura Amorim

Xuan Bu, 34, scuba diving instructor from China, Leg 6 Ambassador on Qingdao: “It does inspire me to see so many female sailors in China or around the world to take on this challenge. Women can do the job on boat as perfectly as men. Women are knowledgeable, powerful and strong. It makes me think that we are capable of doing many things, we just need to believe we can and work hard for it. I also admire those women who dare to take challenges in life. Choosing to do the things that one really like or love is not always easy. I will always remember that there are a lot of women like me who dare to take the hard way whenever I stand at the crossroads of life.”

Jun Gao, 40, technology project manager on Zhuhai: “I feel very proud to have sailed halfway around the world and seeing my growth through the adventures. I especially appreciate the sailing sisterhood on team Zhuhai and across the fleet. Famous British sailor Dee Caffari once said sailing is about confidence and the support around you. I cannot agree more. A supportive environment where female sailors are recognised for our strength in team building, leadership, thinker/doer mentality and physical capabilities is the way forward to encourage more female presence in sailing.”

Image: Jun Gao

Fellow Zhuhai circumnavigator, Jessica Fletcher, 33, a purchasing agent from California: “I think the best thing women can do to encourage other women to tackle challenges and pursue adventure is to remind each other of the truth - which is that we are capable, we bring a unique a necessary energy to a team, and we can do hard things together. Sailing is a team sport and is the most life-giving when a team rallies around each team member, celebrating individual successes & championing each person's contribution. When we go as a team we can go really far...all the way around the world.”