How inclusive is sailing? Largest global survey aims to find out
by The Magenta Project 14 Jul 06:18 PDT
How inclusive is sailing? Largest global survey aims to find out © The Magenta Project
The Magenta Project has today launched the 2x25 global survey, marking the start of the most ambitious equity and inclusion review ever undertaken in sailing and the wider marine industry.
Building on the landmark 2019 Women in Sailing Strategic Review [PDF], where 59% of women reported personal discrimination and 80% said gender imbalance was a problem, 2x25 expands the lens to include more research into race, ableism, and age. Six years on, it aims to shine a light on progress made and barriers that still persist across the sport.
Backed by 11th Hour Racing and supported by World Sailing, 2x25 is led by The Magenta Project, a global initiative committed to equity and inclusion in sailing, in collaboration with a team of expert researchers and advisors.
The research runs from July to September 2025, with final findings to be presented at the World Sailing AGM in November 2025, and publicly launched at METSTRADE and the Yacht Racing Forum.
The launch of 2x25 forms part of a milestone year for The Magenta Project, which celebrates its tenth anniversary with a bold new brand identity and renewed mission to accelerate equity across the sailing and broader marine sector. While women remain at the heart of The Magenta Project's work, this next chapter reflects a broader commitment to inclusion.
The Magenta Project CEO Victoria Low, who also led the 2019 review, said: "Our sport and the wider marine industry are built on data. Whether you're racing a boat, designing the next foiling board, or managing a fleet, performance depends on information. But when it comes to the human side - who is included, how we grow, and where we go next - we've been working from a single dataset gathered in 2019. 2x25 is about changing that and creating a clearer picture to steer the future of our sector."
The 2019 review became a catalyst for change across the sport. The new survey revisits those original nine recommendations [PDF] to assess what has been implemented and where progress has stalled.
2x25 goes further. Alongside gender, the review explores ageism, racism, and ableism, and includes both sailing and the wider marine industry, from STEM education to accessibility and career opportunities onshore.
The study will be globally distributed, and The Magenta Project is aiming to surpass the 4,529 responses gathered in 2019. The survey is available in multiple languages and will be supported by regional focus groups and one-on-one interviews to capture lived experiences in greater depth.
Participation is open to all: athletes, coaches, officials, marine professionals and industry workers of all genders.
Low added: "We can't fix what we don't measure. If we want sailing and the marine industry to stay relevant and reflect the society it hopes to serve, we need everyone's voice. Whether you're on the water or behind the scenes, this is your chance to shape the future of our sport."
Jeremy Pochman, CEO and Co-Founder of 11th Hour Racing, said: "True progress starts with honest reflection. We're proud to support The Magenta Project's 2x25 review - a much-needed initiative to gather real data and lived experiences from across sailing and the marine industry. At 11th Hour Racing, we believe our future is inseparable from the sea - and that building a healthy, inclusive culture is essential to ensuring a resilient ocean."
Alexandra Rickham, Director of Sustainability at World Sailing, added: "World Sailing has led the implementation of many of the recommendations the 2019 review made for the sector so we welcome The Magenta Project's 2x25 review as a timely opportunity to provide fresh insights. Having robust, independent research is essential to understanding where gaps remain and ensuring everyone in our sport shares responsibility for how we close them together. Equity and inclusion are essential components of World Sailing's strategy, Ready for the Future, and this piece of research will support some of our work to deliver measurable social impact for the global sailing community."
By building on the data, methodology, and best practices from 2019, 2x25 aims to provide a refreshed baseline and actionable roadmap for long-term equity and inclusion across sailing and the marine industry.
It reflects the growing momentum across global sport to tackle inequity through data, transparency, and collective leadership.
Complete the survey and learn more: themagentaproject25.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0VPakFDbA84Ahj8
Quotes from sailors
Francesca Clapcich, Italian/American offshore pro sailor: "Feeling seen, heard, and valued, is critical to belonging in our sport, and I've experienced firsthand how powerful it is when we are supported in this way: teams thrive and people thrive. I'd encourage every woman involved in sailing to take part in 2x25, and have your say. This is our chance to shape a more inclusive future for women in sailing and the wider marine industry. For the sailing community to hear the real lived experiences of people across our industry is crucial, and will provide data that can be used to create impactful, long-term positive change for everyone."
Bruno Dubois, France SailGP Team's Team Manager: "I would encourage all senior leaders in the sailing industry to take notice of the 2x25 report because by better understanding people's lived experiences it will help us to create dynamic, positive change within our own teams, and the wider sport as a whole. Encourage your team members to respond to the survey, and once the report is published for all those within your organisation - at all levels - to read and digest the data. Then create a plan on what you can do to clearly identify what you can be doing and where and how to focus your efforts and energy in terms of creating a long-lasting pathway for female sailors in the sport for generations to come."
Isabella Bertold, Canadian Concord Pacific Racing Skipper: "We're still very much in the phase of progression where a collective understanding of both our starting point and our destination is essential. Studies like this one, and the data they generate, play a critical role in helping us pinpoint where the sport currently stands and what areas still need focused improvement. In industries like finance, regular data-driven reviews are standard practice, allowing progress to be measured and shared. Sport deserves the same approach, because data not only identifies the issues, it creates a common language for change."
Giulia Conti, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Skipper, winner of the first ever PUIG Women's America's Cup, and 4 x Olympian: "Data is fundamental. In sailing, we rely on it to read the wind, make decisions, and perform at our best. It should be no different when it comes to making our sport more inclusive. Without real information like surveys, feedback, and lived experiences, we're just guessing. If we want to break down barriers and make meaningful change, we need to track progress regularly and act on what's really happening, not what we assume."
Olivia Price, Andoo Team Australia Challenge Skipper: "Sailing has given me so much over my career - a sense of community, lifelong friendships, and the confidence to push beyond what I thought was possible. But I know not everyone has always felt that same welcome. The Magenta Project's 2x25 review is our chance to listen, to really hear the stories and challenges that too often go unnoticed. If we want the next generation of sailors to feel at home on the water, no matter their background, gender, or ability, we have to put in the work now. I hope everyone who loves this sport as much as I do will share their voice. Together, we can make sailing a place where everyone feels they can be a part of."
Abby Ehler, Professional sailor: "I've spent nearly 30 years as a professional sailor, often as the only woman on board or part of an all-female crew trying to make space in the sport. I've seen how much the culture in sailing needs to grow. This survey is a meaningful step toward making our industry more inclusive, and it starts by listening to all voices. Change begins with understanding and that's why this matters."
Rebecca White, Senior Learning Advisor, The Ocean Race: "At The Ocean Race, we believe that building a better future for the ocean begins with listening to the voices of young people. Education and ocean literacy go hand in hand with equity and inclusion - because to care for our blue planet, everyone needs a seat at the table. The 2x25 survey is a vital opportunity to hear from all corners of our sailing and marine community, including the next generation, who will inherit both the challenges and the solutions. Their experiences, insights, and hopes matter deeply."
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