'The girls' boat' set to make history at Extreme Sailing series

An Australian female sailor says she’ll use the feats of Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michelle Payne as a source of inspiration in the Extreme Sailing series, which begins on Sydney Harbour on Friday.

sailing

Source: SBS

Now in its ninth year, the final leg of the Extreme Sailing series kicks off against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour on Friday.

From Singapore to Saint Petersburg, the global circuit has over the past year toured eight cities, but this weekend it will all come to an end in the final act.
At the helm of one of the multihulls, 33 South Racing, is Australian sailor Katie Spithill.

The 33-year-old said she is drawing inspiration from Michelle Payne, the first female to win the Melbourne Cup.

"I was so inspired by Michelle and watching her win the Cup,” Spithill said. “It was great to see her smash it and then to motivate other females."
Image licensed to Lloyd Images The Extreme Sailing Series 2015 Act 6. St Petersburg. Russia presented by SAP.
The Extreme Sailing Series 2015 Act 6. St Petersburg. Russia presented by SAP. (Lloyd Images) Source: lloyd images
Fellow Australian sailor Stacey Jackson said Payne's breakthrough is only the beginning.

"I think the stereotype is slowly being broken down in women in sailing. For me, the barriers are being broken, and you are seeing more women."

This weekend's Sydney circuit will be the first time in six years a team has been led by a female skipper.
"We've got two females and three males on-board, and so we're calling it 'The girls’ boat'. The boys are a little bit disgusted by that, but we're going to run with it".
It will also be the first time in the event's nine-year history two women will sail on the same boat.

Spithill, the sister of America's Cup winner James Spithill, says her team is feeling the strong female presence.

"We've got two females and three males on-board, and so we're calling it 'The girls’ boat'. The boys are a little bit disgusted by that, but we're going to run with it," she said.
All eyes will be on the favourites to win, the Oman team "The Wave, Muscat", with tactician Sarah Ayton - the only female to compete in all eight events.

Ayton said she thrives in the male-dominated environment.

"It's been great sailing with the guys, I love it. There is a really high level of intensity required to keep up with them," said Ayton.

In 2012, a rule was introduced stating one member of the crew must either be female, under 23 or an amateur.

It is aimed at getting more women involved, but that is not to say Ayton, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and 2015 female World Sailor of the Year, is a lesser team member.

"The guys on the boat ... I'm a total equal member. And my input is listened to and is valid, and I give them a bit of a run for their money at times." 


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3 min read

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Updated

By Abbie O'Brien

Source: SBS



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