Inaugural SheSails Combined Clubs Women's Keelboat Regatta starts tomorrow

Inaugural SheSails Combined Clubs Women's Keelboat Regatta starts tomorrow © Shaun McKenna

Tasmanian female sailors from clubs across the state are primed for a fast, furious but fun day of sailing in Saturday's inaugural Combined Clubs Women's Keelboat Regatta in Hobart.

The star-studded fleet consists of past world and national champions, 'round the world sailors, Olympic hopefuls and women who just love to get out on the water for a sail.

Two-time Volvo Ocean Race and multiple Sydney to Hobart race sailor, Sophie Ciszek, is excited to be back racing following the birth of her daughter India six months ago and backs the all-female format.

"Events like these offer true equal opportunity on the water and are a great way for women to step out of the male-dominated sailing environment, to sail with each other, to learn and have fun," said Ciszek.

The international pro-sailor is feeling positive about the direction of women's sailing in Australia but feels there is still more to be done to achieve equality, especially for professionals.

"I had to leave Australia to pursue my offshore professional sailing dreams, but things have definitely improved. It's great to see that women are now part of the SailGP program and the Mixed Two-Person Offshore Keelboat Event which will be part of the 2024 Paris Olympics. My message to young female sailors is to work hard, be persistent, build your technical sailing skills from dinghy racing at club level through to high performance sailing, and you never know, one day you might experience the freedom and adventure of sailing around the world, like I did, in the Volvo Ocean Race," said Ciszek.

Farr 40, B14 and Sharpies sailor and skipper, Kirsty Salter, is looking forward to the regatta. "This event opens up participation for all women from beginners through to experienced sailors, to team up, have a laugh and sail fast, but most importantly, to meet other keen and enthusiastic women who have the same driving passion as themselves."

Top performances are expected from the teams led by Salter, Sabre national champion Lauren Keil, and current and past SB20 women's national champions, Clare Brown, Felicity Allison and Jill Abel, while Ciszek will be tough to beat sailing with past SB20 women's world champion, Clare Dabner.

All teams have appreciated the one-on-one coaching from world champion sailor Nick Rogers, in the lead up to the event.

The one-day regatta, hosted by the Derwent Sailing Squadron, starts at 10:30am on Saturday morning with 12 teams of four sailors competing on Elliott 6 keelboats in two fleets (Yellow and Blue) over three qualifying races. After three races, the top three teams of each fleet (six teams in total) will go into the Gold Fleet final to determine first, second and third while the remaining six teams will compete in the Silver Fleet Final.

The SheSails event recognises the contribution of women and girls in sailing and is designed to encourage female participation in all aspects of sailing through organised activities at local clubs.

The event is sponsored by Detail First with the support of Australian Sailing, Clubs Tasmania, the Derwent Sailing Squadron, Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania and Bellerive Yacht Club.

The event has attracted the support of high-profile Australian sailing pioneer, Jessica Watson OAM, who will be a guest commentator on the water during the sailing and will be a keynote speaker at the post-racing social function, along with media star, Tiffany Cherry.