Lady Sevenstar all women's team in 2013 Bay Regatta

by Lies Sol on 30 Jan 2013 Enthusiasm to join the first all-female sailing team to enter the 2013 Bay Regatta has been more than expected. 'We could almost have two teams,' says initiator Marieke Derks, marketing representative of Sevenstar Yacht Transport.

Lady Sevenstar's crew is practicing regularly; the seasoned racers amongst them are teaching the less experienced sailors in an atmosphere of fun. Although the team has not sailed together as long as most of their veteran competitors, their spirits are high and they know that, regardless of the results, they will have a great regatta. The international crew hopes more Thai and expat women will follow their lead and if so, even consider to establish a women's sailing club as part of Andaman Sea Club.

Helmswoman of the team, Liz Schoch, hails from Australia and has been sailing Phuket and Southeast Asia waters for over two years. An avid sailor, she has crewed in almost all the regattas in Southeast Asia and ended up on the podium a number of times. Liz opted to be part of the Lady Sevenstar women's team rather than sail with 'the big boys'. She plans to steer a competitive course while at the same time enjoying the fun the Bay Regatta is famous for.

Marieke Derks, from the Netherlands, Marketing Representative of Sevenstar Yacht Transport, is an experienced delivery and charter captain in her own right. She has sailed classic Kerida to victory in the Phuket Race Week three years in a row. Racing a Firefly is a new challenge and while Marieke is glad to be back on the water she is even happier to get old and new friends together for the all-women's team.

German national Meike Lange is a recreational sailor, experiencing a lot of 'firsts' in her sailing career. It's not only her first time to sail on a small, fast catamaran, it's also her first time to sail in a regatta. Last but not least, it is the first time ever she's part of an all-women's sailing team. Meike is looking forward to participate in the Bay Regatta and is excited to learn much more about sailing and racing.

Dutch Maureen Ezendam, representative of Diethelm Travel Group, was asked to help crew a friend's yacht during one of the Phuket regattas three years ago. Not knowing much about boats until then, she developed a passion for sailing only overshadowed occasionally by her dislike of salty sailor's language. 'Mistakes can happen to anyone, in fact they are good learning experiences and are not a reason to be cursed,' she says. 'I like the positive vibe we women have onboard and I'm certain the regatta is going to be great.'

Lies Sol, also from the Netherlands, used to work on superyachts in Southeast Asia and the United States for many years until her return to a land-based PR position the legendary Boathouse Phuket. An Aquarius, she loves to be 'truly sailing' on the seas again and is awed and exhilarated by the speed of Lady Sevenstar, even in light winds.