Xena's Bow lifts Women's Profile

by Peter Campbell on 25 Dec 2000 Two international women sailors are making their mark on the Australian sailing scene and will form an integral part of the crew on one of the line honours contenders, Xena, and one of the handicap favourites, Yendys, in this year’s Telstra Sydney to Hobart Race.

Abby Seagar, 24, who grew up in Plymouth in the UK began sailing dinghies at the age of six and moved onto J24s and finally onto keel yachts – all by the age of 13. She has competed in Admiral’s Cups, one Sydney to Hobart Race and two Fastnet Races - recognised along with the Sydney to Hobart as one of the three toughest Bluewater ocean races in the world – and has been a professional match racer for two years.

Local rigging company Carbon Tech International sponsored Abby to come to Australia specifically to build rigs for next year’s Volvo Ocean Race. She spent time as the boat manager of the Sydney 41 Hawke and is now the bow person on the Open 60 Xena, which will be skippered by Sean Langman in the 2000 Telstra Sydney to Hobart Race.

“I have been sailing on Xena since her revamp two months ago when the cockpit was chopped out completely, the aft end was widened, the rig was made longer and twin wheels were installed,” said Abby.

The race forecast is for nor’easterly breezes during the first night before a south westerly front that will bring headwinds predicted to slow the five water-ballasted Volvo 60s and the Open 60 Xena, also water ballasted, while favouring the bigger conventionally ballasted yachts, Neville Crichton’s 80-footer Shockwave and George Snow’s Brindabella.

“We’d love to be there first but I think we will struggle with the 80-footers, however I think we have a good chance against the Volvo 60s,” said Abby.

Katie Pettibone from Michigan in the United States grew up sailing big boats with her family on the Great Lakes. Her sailing career includes two America’s Cups and one Whitbread Round the World Race. For her first Telstra Sydney to Hobart Race, she will join the crew of last year’s Overall winner Yendys, skippered by Hong Kong businessman Geoff Ross.

“In her short time with us, she has proved an outstanding contributor to the team,” said Geoff.

Katie’s goal is to put together an all-women campaign for the 2001-2002 Volvo Ocean Race, a project that Abby Seagar is also hoping to be a part of.

Around 10 per cent of the crew on board the 82 yachts competing in this year’s Telstra Sydney to Hobart Race are women. Other high profile woman sailing south include one of Australia’s best known navigators Adrienne Cahalan on board Nicorette and this year’s Crew Person of the Year Sally Gordon on board SAP Ausmaid.

Further information:

Telstra Sydney to Hobart Media Centre
Ph 02 9327 1139
sydhobmedia@bigpond.com
www.sydneytohobart.telstra.com.au