50% is no mere pass mark
by John Curnow, Sail-World.com AUS Editor 7 Oct 18:30 NZDT
Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli - Puig Women's America's Cup - Day 1, Group A - October 5, 2024 © Carlo Borlenghi / Luna Rossa
Many thanks to my colleague Casey Hodges. Her efforts to herd cats, which at times included me in a couple of ways, has been invaluable in the creation of this editorial. It was like there were some parts already in place, and others that needed much more time on low heat, in order for them to distil down. Make the grand sauce, and all that.
So, the ruminations were there, shall we say festering around. As for the genesis? Well a section of a note from Casey simply said, "Given the upcoming Puig Women's America's Cup (5-13 Oct) will signal a transformative new era for the sport of sailing..."
Immediately it was like an electro-magnet had been turned on, and the iron filings all shot towards it with great haste. Maybe it should be referred to as all the extraneous bits of the T-1000's mimetic polyalloy slid inexorably back to the host and rejoined the form once more. Either way, you get the point...
Now one of those reflections was how back in the Jurassic Era, boys went surfing, and the girls stayed on the beach to watch. Really? Like, what's that? Today we have surfers of the calibre of Layne Beachley, Steph Gilmore, and Sally Fitzgibbons, as well as their own brands, such as Roxy. Hear, hear!
Hilariously, that would be about the age of the parents for many of the athlete's competing in said inaugural event, BTW.
Not much later than that, and there were so few women sailing that you could literally count them on the one hand. I was fortunate enough to assist several begin their journeys, and still see a few of them today. Indeed, it was the notion of a sport for life that was yet another of those magical ruminations mentioned earlier on. However, it has also become a way of life for some, with business opportunities also emerging from the dark ages.
There will always be a need to get girls involved in sailing early, and subsequently keep them there. Some of the best bowmen I ever came across were women: lighter, flexible, nimble, and talk about focussed!!! Equally, later in life women returning or joining are just as crucial. Take a look at any crew partaking in a twilight race and you'll see what I mean, for it is not just about the elite. It is everything from Olympics to cruising the South Pacific, and then each item in between on that spectrum.
Credit where credit is due
So, 173 years in the making, and we now have the inaugural Women's America's Cup running in conjunction with the 37th rendition of the Auld Mug, which could well be the most coveted trophy in sport, and arguably, the most famous on three or four of the continents that are a part of this here third rock.
John Bertrand AO is not only enthusiastic about this America's Cup, he's got skin in the game, as it were. He is the Patron of Andoo Team Australia for the Youth and Women's America's Cups.
John said, "The Kiwis have delivered a very impressive package here. Making the AC40s all One Design and supplied equipment for the other teams, and then running it concurrently with the America's Cup proper is really tremendous. Utilising much of the hosting royalties to develop such great TV coverage with the video footage being allowed to 'breathe' as it were, along with the superb overlay graphics, and then Glenn Ashby's marvellous technological insights over the top in the commentary is a breakthrough.
"As part of it all there's also the America's Cup E-Series, and hydrogen-powered foiling chase boats, which have future impacts for transportation. It all goes to highlight the level of innovation inside the event now, along with spin-offs, including the Ashby/ETNZ land speed record."
"National importance is allowed to reign supreme in the racing, which is terrific stuff. Hopefully, our Aussie involvement here in Barcelona can build into bigger and better things," said Bertrand in closing.
An intro, some questions, and more importantly, some answers!
Enough of my stuff, what about the thoughts of two of the world's most iconic female skippers? Namely, Keryn McMaster and Lisa McDonald. McMaster was a trailblazer for New Zealand women's offshore sailing in the 1990s, and a member of the fully professional women's team, Wild Oats X, who were second overall under IRC in the 2018 Sydney Hobart Yacht race. US-born McDonald was part of the first full female entry (apart from Dave Dellenbaugh) in the 1995 America's Cup on board America3 Mighty Mary (USA-43), and has sailed most of the best regattas across the globe.
One: What inspired you to get into sailing?
KM: "I didn't have a choice growing up. I was always on the boat with Mum and Dad for racing, whether it was Wednesday night races, family cruising races, or coastal cruising. Every Summer, Dad would close the family sail-making business, and we'd spend a month or more cruising on the boat. In my teens and early twenties, Leah Newbold became my idol. She had just finished the Whitbread Race on Heineken, and even offered me a spot on her team for the next race. Her accomplishments were awe-inspiring, and I dreamed of following in her footsteps."
LM: "I grew up with stories of my grandfather sailing clippers in the Last Grain Race and being around the America's Cup history in Newport. My first sailing experience was on a lake in New Hampshire when I was very young, then mostly inshore experiences with family friends on the Chesapeake as a teenager. My first ocean passage was at age 19, from Newport R.I. to Antigua. We were running the gauntlet and dodging hurricanes with a stop in Bermuda, and it was pretty wild! I'd had a taste for the wrath of Mother Nature offshore for the first time. Needless to say, I could have loved it or hated it, and from that moment I never looked back."
Two: Your careers have spanned decades. What are your favourite sailing moments?
KM: "One of my favourite moments was sailing into my home port, Auckland Harbour, during the 1997-98 Whitbread race. We were escorted by the largest pod of dolphins I've ever seen, and having my family and friends there to celebrate with me on the dock was unforgettable. Another highlight was completing the 2018 Sydney Hobart race on Wild Oats X with an all-women crew, when we placed second overall. It was such an incredible achievement with a hugely talented group of women!"
LM: "One of my proudest achievements was winning the IACCA World Championships in San Diego with the girls' America3 team in 1995, in the lead-up to the 1995 America's Cup. Another personal favourite was defeating Dennis Conner in the first race of the 1995 America's Cup Challenger Series, a truly historic accomplishment. Additionally, completing my first Whitbread Round the World Race in 1997-98 was an extraordinary experience; starting and finishing in Southampton and racing around the great capes of the world.
"Finally, as skipper of the girls' Volvo Ocean Race team, Amer Sports, we were the underdogs, second to the boys' team the whole way around the world. Safe to say it was a monumental moment when we crossed the finish line ahead of Grant Dalton's team on the final leg into Kiel."
Three: Comparing then to now, what was it like to be a professional women sailor in the 90s?
KM: "My mum and her sailing friends inspired me from a young age. They would take the boat out every Tuesday night for races. It was these confident women who taught me the skills I needed. At that time, without a supportive network like this, it would have been much harder to carve out a path as a professional in the sport.
"In the 90s there were hardly any women competing, but I never let that stop me from dreaming big. I knew I was better than a lot of the guys on the bow, but often I wouldn't get picked for national events or longer races. The excuse was always that it'd be 'uncomfortable' having a woman onboard, especially in tight quarters with an all-male crew. It was so frustrating. Luckily, some great male boat owners broke that mould and welcomed me into their crews, and that was a real turning point."
"Things have definitely changed. We're being judged on our skills, not our gender, and it's amazing to see more events highlighting women in our sport. The whole 'see it, do it' mentality is huge - young women now see it's possible, and that dreams can become reality. Honestly, if I were 25 years younger, I'd be doing everything I could to get into the Women's America's Cup. It's incredible to see how far we've come, and I can't wait to watch and admire these amazing athletes. Many other events have made a huge impact by providing more opportunities for females in sailing, both on and off the water."
LM: "In the 1970s and 1980s, girls in sport was still a rarity, let alone women in sailing. When I started, Tracy Edwards was making history with Maiden, but it never occurred to me that I could follow in her footsteps. Then, Dawn Riley took over the helm of Heineken after participating in the America's Cup, and it felt like the world of sailing was opening up to women. It was an exciting time for female sailors, even if the sport was still dominated by men with many women content to watch from the sidelines."
"I was very lucky to have started sailing with guys who didn't care if you were a girl, but cared more about your seamanship and ability to learn as you go. This suited me very well as I was always keen to learn enough to move on to a bigger faster boat! There were very few girls that actually raced although there were many on the cruising yachts. Some of the recent racing rules about having girls on teams means that the number of girls racing with confidence is growing and that is great to see!7
"Social media has also had a huge impact on the sport, women's participation and ability to connect to people and boats looking for crew. There's so much more visibility now, and it's really helping female athletes pursue their passions."
Four: Why is sailing a great sport for women to get involved in?
KM: "The thing I love most about sailing is its sense of community and the lifelong friendships you form, especially through the shared, sometimes crazy experiences, such as wipeouts, winning races, and overcoming challenges as a team. Sailing is a fantastic sport for women of all ages, offering a unique blend of community, challenge, growth and adventure."
"It's given me the opportunity to see the world and sail in the most incredible places and has the potential to open up so many doors for people. Also, you never get bored, you'll laugh until your cheeks hurt and go through the highs and lows of life with your friends. It's like my therapy! I still get really excited every single time I go out on the water, not only because it feeds my competitive side, but also it connects and grounds me, it's my happy place."
LM: "I love the sport for the physical challenge and thrills, to the constant innovation and the community. In particular, I am always amazed at the technology that goes into the sport of sailing; from materials and concepts to the software, it's constantly evolving and it's exciting to see these innovations trickle down from the professional level to the everyday sailors. The best bit is, it can be a lifelong sport if you choose."
"There are some great jobs for women on the technical side of the sport as well, this often gets overlooked, but is equally important. It is a tricky sport to do with young children in tow, unless cruising as a family, so you need a good support network."
Five: What are your top tips for women just getting started or those looking to forge a career in sailing?
KM: "Be proactive and willing to put in the hard work. Show up early, stay late, and don't shy away from dirty work, whether it's mopping a bilge or packing a sail. People notice your actions more than how well you talk yourself up. Learn a variety of skills - you don't need to be an expert in everything, but having basic knowledge in areas like sailmaking, rigging, first aid, or engine maintenance can make you invaluable on a boat.
"Sailing is as much about who you know as what you know. Building connections within the sailing community will open doors and help you find opportunities. Most importantly, although sailing requires dedication and effort, don't forget to enjoy the journey. The friendships and shared experiences make it all worthwhile!"
LM: "Patience and an eagerness to learn are key when starting out in sailing. Always offer to help, and be observant. You never know when you will be in the right place at the right time to get on a boat or help out with a manoeuvre. Put your hand up to help out on as many different types of boats as possible; each one has its own unique characteristics and can teach you valuable lessons. Remember that sometimes life gets in the way, but don't give up. If you're passionate about sailing, you will find a way to incorporate it in your life, whether that be casual day trips or competitive racing."
Six: What path has your career taken?
KM: "After my time as a professional sailor, I shifted gears to focus on raising my family, which still keeps me very busy! However, I've stayed involved in competitive sailing and still race today. Once my kids were off to school, I started working in the marine industry, and I now lead PredictWind's support team, as we go about helping customers all over the world with weather data, routing advice and satcomms."
LM: "I spent the best part of 25 years sailing and racing in some of the most wild and beautiful parts of the world. I have been fortunate to have been able to spend so much time with my children during the early years. At first it was tricky for me to find a routine, but I soon found a local team in the form of our lifeboat in the town where I live in France. I became a lifeboat crew member, then a co-skipper of one of the rescue boats, and I went on to become an instructor. I still make time for the team at home whenever I can. It became a different type of boat family and a way for me to give something back using my experience and knowledge to help those in need on the ocean in difficult conditions.
"I am now working with international events and sponsorship and growing PredictWind's customer base, which keeps me moving around the yacht circles and I love all the modern technology. Respect for mother nature and working on the academic side of what I practically learned at sea is another side to this amazing industry of yachting."
Seven: What is the significance of the inaugural Puig Women's America's Cup?
KM: "It's epic that this America's Cup now includes a women's event. As women, we need more opportunities like this to get out on the water and have access to this calibre of boats and facilities. The more chances women have to compete at the highest level, the more successful we'll become. While sailing remains a very male-dominated sport, with the right opportunities, women can absolutely rise to the top and thrive. Sailing isn't just about physical strength, it's highly technical, and we have some amazing female sailors coming through who, with the right support, can not only compete, but also win!"
LM: "This is a great opportunity to open up the sport of sailing for women at high level competition. I'm looking forward to following it! Having raced in two editions of the America's Cup in the IACC class, I had always dreamed of there actually being a women's fleet one day, now it is happening, and that is to be celebrated by the next generation of female sailors."
Eight: What can inspire the next generation of female sailors taking on the water?
KM: "Believe in yourselves and step outside your comfort zone. Show up, put in the effort, and say yes to every opportunity to learn and grow. Surround yourselves with a supportive network of mentors and fellow sailors, and never be afraid to ask questions or take risks. Sailing is evolving, and there are countless opportunities for talented women to succeed at the highest level if you so choose."
LM: "If you're looking to get into sailing, before embarking on your first adventure, do some research and familiarise yourself with the basics. Listen to the advice of experienced sailors, and always be willing to lend a hand with a smile. Remember that sometimes sailing can be challenging. You may get your socks wet and have a hard day, but teamwork gets you through and the rewards of when it does all go your way are truly amazing. Good luck, sail fast, and stay safe!"
OK. There it is. There is so much more on the group's websites for you. Simply use the search field, or 'edition' pull-down menu up the top on the right of the masthead to find it all. Please enjoy your yachting, stay safe, and thanks for tuning into Sail-World.com
John Curnow
Sail-World.com AUS Editor