Celebrating Women in Sailing

Jazz is a British sailor based on the south coast near Brighton. She typically sails in the RS Venture Connect which is a double handed para boat and has won a silver and bronze medal at the last two world championships respectively. She also sails on her 27ft yacht named Fear.

I face many a ‘no’ in my life, I do my best to turn them into ‘yes’. - Jazz Turner, GBR para-athlete

Can you tell us a little about your journey into sailing and what inspired you to get started? 

My journey into sailing was a complete accident. I was 13 on holiday with a friend in Cornwall who had a try sailing voucher for her birthday. It was typical Cornish summer weather, pouring rain, freezing cold and blowing a gale. She didn’t want to go and so I went instead. I absolutely loved it and haven’t stopped since.

What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?

In 2023 at the world championships in Germany. We had a good first two days of the championships and then I ended up in hospital, missing a day of racing. We still managed to qualify for the finals but went into it outside of the medals. To get the medals we had to win the final race. The race didn’t start as we wanted, not getting the best start and then the whole fleet went right, and I went left. My sailing partner thought I was crazy, but we came out first round the windward mark with a sizeable lead. We then extended the lead and went on to win the race. We ended up winning a silver medal. It wasn’t the colour of the medal that meant the most to us, I was seriously ill and yet we pulled together as a team to pull of some of the best racing we had ever done. As we crossed the finish line, we were both in complete disbelief, we had pulled off what seemed impossible. To even get out on the water that day was a miracle so to win was even better. 

How does sailing empower you both on and off the water? 

For me sailing is about freedom. When I am on land due to my disability and my wheelchair, I am increasingly restricted. But when I’m on the water I have total freedom, the best thing is getting to leave my wheelchair on the dock. When I’m sailing, I get treated like everyone else, it doesn’t matter whether I have a disability or whether I’m a girl, it purely comes down to your sailing ability. And most of the time I’m better than everyone anyway!

Do you have any upcoming sailing ventures or projects your looking forward to in the near future? 

I am about to attempt to become the first person with a disability to complete a solo, non-stop and unassisted circumnavigation of the UK and Ireland in my 27ft Albin Vega Fear. I leave on the 2nd June and am starting and returning to Brighton marina. I am hoping it will take me between 4-8 weeks. 

projectfear.uk

Maggie is a Scottish sailor from Shetland. She typically sails in offshore double handed racing and was world champion this year in her category.

Can you tell us a little about your journey into sailing and what inspired you to get started?

 Living in Shetland, you’re never far from the sea, I started dinghy sailing aged 11 and fell in love with the sport. The feeling of being on the water and completely powered by the wind and sea is amazing.

What has been the most memorable moment of your sailing career so far?

 I’ve been fortunate to be involved in various aspects of sailing, from dinghies and skippering in the Tall Ships Races to yacht chartering and offshore racing. While it's difficult to pinpoint just one moment, a definite highlight was winning the Offshore Doublehanded World Championships last October in France alongside my co-skipper, Cal Finlayson.

How does sailing empower you, both on and off the water? 

Sailing gives you a real feeling of freedom and independence. When you’re on the water, your complete focus is making sure that the boat and crew are working at their best. Off the water, I think you can use so many transferable skills like quick decision making and problem solving, discipline and teamwork in everyday life.

Do you have any any upcoming sailing ventures or projects you’re looking forward to in the near future?"

 Yes, we are actively preparing for our next race, the Transat Paprec, a non-stop, doublehanded, 3,800-mile race from Brittany, France, to St. Barts in the Caribbean. This race will be sailed in the one-design Figaro 3 yachts, and we can expect some incredibly close competition over the course of 20 days. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Henri Lloyd this year and will be outfitted in their range of offshore clothing. Having lightweight, durable, and comfortable gear that provides excellent protection against the elements is crucial.

The race is set to start next month, and while we're halfway through our preparations, we are still seeking the remaining sponsorship needed to get us to the starting line. There will be trackers on the boats for the race and you can follow us on our team page at solanoceanracing.com

Louise Clayton is a British sailor from Norfolk, currently living and working as a physiotherapist, sailmaker, and skipper/race coach on the South Coast. 

She primarily sails double-handed or with crews, taking on longer offshore races such as the Round Britain and Ireland race. In 2022, she won the 45-strong double-handed fleet at the St. Malo race and was selected from eight teams to compete in the 2024 Double-Handed World Championship.

 Louise grew up racing dinghies on the Norfolk Broads, but a career break at 30 led her to volunteer on the round-the-world yacht *Steinlager* in New Zealand. Inspired by the story of Sir Peter Blake, she pursued her dream of becoming a skipper, eager to see what she could accomplish on the water.

Can you tell us a little about your journey into sailing and what inspired you to get started?

 During the Round Britain and Ireland Race, after leading the fleet all the way to the Shetlands, the weather turned, bringing 25-40 knot winds upwind for over a week. Aboard the 34ft classic yacht *Morning After*, the G-forces were physically exhausting, and the larger boats began to pull ahead, causing us to lose our lead on the northern half of the UK. 

 "I chose to embrace the experience, to observe and fully appreciate being in such a raw environment," I realized. In those moments, when you have nothing but your own resourcefulness, it's incredibly empowering and reassuring to know you can handle anything—both on and off the water. 

How does sailing empower you, both on and off the water?

The Women ahead of me that have forged out carers in what is still an incredibly male dominated industry empower me to keep pushing on myself. Those visible role models are super important to show others that if you graft hard, you can get the opportunity’s you’re aiming for.

Do you have any upcoming sailing ventures or projects you’re looking forward to in the near future?

This year, I’m excited to embark on my 5th Fastnet Campaign, hopefully racing double-handed. My winter focus in the gym has been dedicated to preparing for racing an RS200, and I can’t wait to return to my dinghy racing roots. Additionally, I’m coaching a women’s team for the Women’s Open Keelboat Championships in partnership with Unity Sailing, while also helping to organize the event womensopenkeelboatchampionship.com. Beyond that I have hopes for a Sydney Hobart and some serious ocean racing time.

Holly is British sailor living in Cornwall. She’s typically found blue-water cruising, and is the founder of Clean Sailors and ReSail by Clean Sailors.

cleansailors.com

Can you tell us a little about your journey into sailing and what inspired you to get started?

Like many sailors, my first experience on the water was in an Optimist. However, capsizing repeatedly in a cold reservoir wasn't exactly my idea of fun. I was fortunate enough to transition to sailing with my grandfather on his ocean-going yacht, which ignited my passion for offshore sailing. The idea of being days away from land, relying solely on what you have with you, quickly became something I truly cherished.

What has been the most memorable moment of your sailing so far?

One of my earliest memorable moments was winning the parent-child Optimist race at the Junior Gala when I was about eight years old. My dad, who stands at 6'3", somehow managed to curl up under the boom of the tiny Opti while I steered him around the buoys. I’m sure luck played a big part, as we certainly weren’t the most ergonomic pair on the water!

Another pivotal moment was my first double-handed Biscay crossing, which proved to be a tough challenge. It was during this experience that I was inspired to establish Clean Sailors.

How does sailing empower you, both on and off the water?

For me, sailing is a blend of family, community, and at times, complete solitude. It’s a space that brings me peace, presence, and a deep sense of self-awareness. From that place, I feel empowered to take on anything—whether on land or at sea. 

Do you have any upcoming sailing ventures or projects you’re looking forward to in the near future?

Cruising at home along the stunning Southwest coastline, exploring the Swedish archipelago by sailboat with girlfriends this summer, and racing in the Solent—these are just a few of my upcoming adventures. There's also much more to look forward to with ReSail by Clean Sailors, where we give old sailing gear a new life. We're now operating in over 10 countries worldwide, and the journey is just beginning.