Interview with The Magenta Project on Women and Sailing

We're celebrating international women's day by shining a light on communities that are empowering women in watersports. We were really excited to catch up with The Magenta Project’s co-founder, Abby Ehler and find out more about the sailing project:

Hi Abby! Tell us a bit about The Magenta Project and why it was set up:

Magenta was formed off the back of the TEAM SCA CAMPAIGN.  The all-female ‘Team SCA’ competed in the 2014-5 Volvo Ocean Race and it had been 11 years since a female team had entered the race.  Due to the absence of women in the race, SCA knew it would be a challenge to bridge the experience gap and develop a competitive female team at this level. As the race progressed, we realised that the SCA story was far greater than the race itself and the stories of inspiration we received were humbling, motivating, and exciting.

As Billy Jean King said to the Team:

‘Thank you for showing girls and women around the world that we can accomplish anything and to dream big. Your perseverance, drive and commitment to this gruelling competition is inspiring.’

So, the sailors wanted to take the opportunity to drive the movement forward and make a difference for women in performance sailing.

 

What additional challenges do you think women face in sailing and have you seen improvements since you started in 2015?

We are seeing the world of commercial sport evolving, becoming more global and inclusive. Multiple classes are incentivising gender diverse crews and the 2024 summer Olympics are aiming for 50/50 gender equality across athletes and support staff. But there’s still a way to go. Sailing is still a male dominated sport, and stereotypes still exist that make it harder for female sailors. There is a need to normalise and mainstream female representation in sailing.

 

What do you think the benefits of getting involved in sailing are for women?

My experience, predominantly in team sailing offshore, is that it is an incredible exercise in teamwork, communication, human endeavour, and harnessing natures powers.  I love the competitiveness, the camaraderie, the strategy, and the problem solving.  When talking to others about sailing the one thing that stands out is the total escapism from our modern, demanding lives.  Being at sea requires 110% concentration and there is certainly no time for distraction with mobile phones and other technology demanding gadgets.  This in essence is what I love about the sport, the pureness, being out in the elements and growing your confidence and experience.  So, for any women looking to get involved in sailing I would say go for it, it can be exhilarating, motivating, empowering and confidence-boosting!

 

What has been a highlight of the project for you to date? 

The Magenta Mentoring Programme has been a huge breakthrough project.  Back in 2018, Vicky Ellis, former Clipper Round the World Race Skipper had the brainchild idea of launching a shoreside Mentoring programme for female sailors aspiring to greater things in the sport.  The aim was to provide an off-the-water 9 month programme, where female sailors (mentees) are supported along their unique pathway towards their sailing goals by mentors from across the sport. To be on the receiving end of mentoring makes you feel supported, empowered and energised towards your potential.  The more sailors that embrace mentoring as a way to develop future talent, the more it is embedded in teams, clubs and organisations, the more supportive and progressive the sport culture will become.  This will go on to create a naturally more inclusive environment where diversity, and by association, performance can thrive.  That can’t be bad for the future of the sport!   To date, the programme has supported 150 young women through Mentorship and the network created throughout our Alumni is really strong.

 

What have you got coming up that you're excited about? 

We are currently working on an exciting project aiming to tackle diversity and inclusion across the sailing industry, leading on gender.  Working off the recommendations and directions from the World Sailing Trust Review of Gender Equity in Sailing in 2019, the focus will be on creating a call to action within the sailing industry and the launch of a diversity pledge and roadmap of supporting initiatives all working towards the ambition for value chain gender parity by 2026.  We are currently working on securing funding via donations and sponsorship to launch the project this year.

 

Any top tips for women who want to get into sailing or try it out for the first time?

Firstly, check out your own personal networks to see if you have any friends or colleagues that sail and would be willing to introduce you to the sport.  Alternatively, there are heaps of organisations either clubs or companies that offer ‘try sailing’ days or courses.  In the UK, the RYA is the governing body of sailing, and they offer several courses based on experience at varying locations throughout the UK, mainly in dinghies.  There are a number of organisations that solely cater for women looking to start or improve their sailing, predominantly in keelboats, check out Boss Sailing or for a more conservational angle, look up eXXpedition.  Go for it!!

 

Written by Lucy Harris.