The Ocean Race proved it: Women sail just as well as men. They are just as persistent, fast and competent as their male colleagues. Women and men together develop more positive energy, expand the skills on board and are excellent team players. At least the women who have already made it into the international racing scene. Now there just need to be more.
For many years, Team Tutima was successful as an all-female team on the ocean circuit and showed young women what is possible. Susann Beucke started her career as a solo sailor last year with her campaign “This Race is female” and stands for visibility of women in offshore sailing in Germany like no other.
In order for more women to become offshore sailors, better structures are needed in Germany and Northern Europe to support them. Because there are many questions: How do I set up my own campaign? Where is the network that will support me? How can I learn from experienced women offshore sailors? How do I become visible in the media and how can I fund myself?
Joining forces for female offshore sailors in Germany
On the international stage, The Magenta Project has already developed tools and formats to help women better enter offshore racing. The founders – Volvo Ocean Race Team SCA members, like Annie Lush and Abby Ehler – want to pave the way for young female sailors to enter international offshore sport.
The Magenta Project network offers a mentoring programme. It campaigns for equal opportunities in regatta and class rules and makes female sailors visible in the media. It supports female offshore sailors on their way to professionalism – internationally.
Kick-off in Kiel
Two years ago, the initiative Offshoreseglerinnen was founded as a informal network of young women to campaign for more participation of women in sailing. To ensure that more women sailors find their way onto the world’s oceans in the future, the offshore sailors are joining forces with float.
Together they want to expand the network in Germany and Northern Europe with the support of The Magenta Project. The kick-off for „Offshoreseglerinnen x The Magenta Project powered by float“ is on Saturday 5 August at the ORC World Championship 2023 in Kiel. Official project partners are The Magenta Project and float.
On stage are Meghan Reilly (CEO The Magenta Project), Kirsten Harmstorf-Schönwitz from Tutima Sailing (“Leading a crew of women to success in offshore sailing”), Eshana Müller from Offshoreseglerinnen (“Benefits of building strong female networks”) and Susann Beucke (“This Race is female”), who joins via video. float editor-in-chief Kerstin Zillmer presents the cooperation.
All who are interested are cordially invited to the official presentation followed by a get together, supported by Pantaenius and Tutima Glashütte / SA. The kickoff is on 5 August 2023 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the ORC World Championship 2023. Venue is Soling 22 in Kiel-Schilksee.
