Please select your home edition
Edition
Switch One Design

Celebrating the community of women in racing

by J/105 Class 7 Jun 2020 02:57 AEST
Celebrating the community of women in racing © Dave Mathias

According to Dictionary.com, the definition of "role model" is "a person whose behavior, example, or success is or can be emulated by others, especially by younger people." And studies show that people are more likely to emulate role models with whom they can identify.

That's what extraordinary about people like Tracy Edwards who skippered the first all-female crew in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race in 1989, and Dawn Riley - the first woman to manage an entire America's Cup syndicate in 2007. They influenced many young women to go beyond commonly accepted boundaries and insert themselves into a previously male-dominated sport. Role models and inspiration can be found in many places, though.

It was at the end of 1994 that EWYC member Corrine del Bane had the idea to form a women's sailing association, and I joined the inaugural group that kicked off the organization with a fundraising event at the University Club in early 1995, with Dawn Riley as keynote speaker.

Now known as the North Coast Women's Sailing Association (NCWSA), the group is still going strong with 200+ members, and the original mission still in place: "To empower women to become more actively involved in sailboat racing through regattas and clinics, and to create a spirit of good fellowship among members."

Hosted by Edgewater Yacht Club and operated solely by volunteers, NCWSA organizes races, educational meetings, social events and an annual regatta throughout the year. The group encourages men to be active in coaching, training and race committee, and relies on many to loan their boats for NCWSA activities. Fleets include J/22s, J/24s, Ensigns, Dragons, as well as JAM, PHRF and Race "Prep" boats for those who are brandnew to sailing. Tom and I both participate with NCWSA as well as regular club races and regattas on our own boat.

There were very few women skippers and/or boat owners in the Cleveland area when I started sailing. My husband Tom and I were introduced to the sport during the summer of 1987 and crewed on a C&C41 out of Edgewater Yacht Club (EWYC) from 1988-1994. Eventually (because we were the ones who always showed up for every single race!) over time, the skipper relied on us for recruiting, training and organizing crew for club races and travel regattas.

At first, it was the men on the boat who primarily got the regular crew positions, while the women generally would ride the rail. However, that eventually changed when inevitably we were short on regular crew, and women were ready and able to do some hands-on learning.

That same year of 1994, we bought our first boat when our oldest son was three months old - a J/29, Ovation - and put together a crew.

For the next several years, we took turns; one of us raced while the other stayed home with our son, and a few years later, two sons. This allowed us to equally develop our skills and confidence at the helm. Eventually when we started to race together again, we had to work on our team management skills, since we were both used to being "in charge."

In 2018, we sold the J/29 and bought a J/105, still named Ovation, and began racing in the one-design fleet at EWYC. We still take turns at the helm, while the other takes the pit, sail trim, foredeck or navigation, depending on whatever needs to be covered. We have found one-design racing to be a welcome challenge, extremely competitive, with a hugely supportive fleet.

The one-design fleet reminds me of what is special about all-women crews - the camaraderie. But nothing beats an all-woman crew, because female networks tend to feel warm, welcome, and safe. Just ask anyone who is in a book club. Same thing.

Related Articles

Register now for the Rolex Big Boat Series
Fees will increase by $275 after July 31 Registration fees for the 61st Rolex Big Boat Series hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club from September 10-14, 2025, will increase by $275 after July 31, 2025. Posted on 25 Jul
Tradition meets innovation
In the 116th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust The 116th edition reminded competitors that no two "Mac Races" are ever the same, delivering the kind of dynamic challenge that has made it one of the world's most iconic offshore races and a fixture on every sailor's bucket list. Posted on 22 Jul
Heartbreaker leads sunrise finishers
In 2025 Race to Mackinac In the early morning hours, the sleek fleet of Great Lakes 52s sailed under the Mackinac Bridge and past the iconic Round Island Lighthouse to finish at Mackinac Island, completing their 333-mile journey in the 116th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. Posted on 21 Jul
Whitehawk wins line honors 2025 Race to Mackinac
The beautiful wooden 104-foot ketch owned by Peter Thornton is the first boat to finish Whitehawk, the beautiful wooden 104-foot ketch owned by Peter Thornton, is the first boat to finish the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust. Posted on 21 Jul
Slow and steady in the 2025 Race to Mackinac
The 285 sailboats racing are making steady progress up Lake Michigan Overnight and into the morning, the 285 sailboats racing in the 116th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust are making steady progress up Lake Michigan. Posted on 20 Jul
Soggy start for Race to Mackinac's Racing Division
The 116th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust is officially under way The 116th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust is officially under way, as the Racing Division set sail earlier today under rainy skies and light winds. Posted on 20 Jul
The countdown to the Race to Mackinac
2025 is a landmark year for the Chicago Yacht Club 2025 is a landmark year for the Chicago Yacht Club and the Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust Financial Corporation. Posted on 10 Jul
Swiftsure International Yacht Race
J/105s sweep PHRF Division The 80th running of the Swiftsure International Yacht Race, hosted by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, got rolling with gorgeous skies and light winds, an enormous contrast to last year's stormy start. Posted on 29 Jun
31st Block Island Race Week Day 5
IHG Hotels and Resorts Race Day concludes the event Block Island Race Week's final tent party was abuzz with anticipation and excitement Friday evening, as sailors and spectators awaited the announcement of cumulative awards for the regatta's 60th anniversary. Posted on 27 Jun
31st Block Island Race Week Day 4
Round The Island Race on Mount Gay Rum Race Day Mount Gay Rum Race Day featured everyone's favorite race of Block Island Race Week: the Regatta Craft Mixers Round The Island Race. The breaking of the recent heatwave made for a fast and furious counter-clockwise lap. Posted on 26 Jun
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERVetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 FOOTERZhik 2024 December