HOW DO YOU CHOOSE TO CHALLENGE?

Today we celebrate International Women’s Day with the global theme “Choose to Challenge”. A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we’re all responsible for our own thoughts and actions – all day, every day. We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world. From challenge comes change, so let’s all choose to challenge.

Below we’ve highlighted some of many amazing women in our sport who have shown their leadership, dedication, professionalism, drive and compassion for being on the water. Today we celebrate water women all over the world who are leading the way, teaching others and sharing their stories and experiences. #choosetochallenge #IWD2021

“Every day I am out on the water living the life of my dreams, I choose to challenge together with girls and women from all over the world, to unite through our passion for kiteboarding. We become one with what we do…until the point where the challenge is no longer a point of attention, as the natural expression of our love and passion proves enough.” – Annabel van Westerop

Annabel van Westerop grew up with salt in her hair and sand between her toes in Aruba. This spirit is shown in her riding, which is powerful, yet collected. Despite taking her passion for kiting to the next level by joining the International Sales Team at North Actionsports in the Netherlands, Annabel still makes time to follow the dream.

“I choose to challenge because together every individual can make a collective change for the greater good. It starts with me. – Libby Greenhalgh

Libby Greenhalgh is a world-renowned meteorologist, She has sailed all her life and spent four years on the Olympic circuit. In 2007, she was hired by the British Olympic Sailing team as team meteorologist and supported the team for the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. She served as navigator for Team SCA in the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race, helping them post a historic leg win and finish 3rd in the In-Port Series.

“Happiness for me is living my dreams and achieving them, and learning new things about myself through getting out of my comfort zone.” – Katrin Kerr

Katrin Kerr is a bluewater cruiser, liveaboard, and chef. Katrin, her husband and son set sail from Spain last year and have been cruising all over the world since. Sharing their passion of sailing and the ocean with their son Kilian, Katrin passes down the teachings from her grandparents who were fellow cruisers.

“The sport of Sailing is continuously evolving, advancing & transforming… which in turn requires those who compete to be forever learning and adapting. I challenge myself every day to expand my skill sets, and challenge the sailing world to embrace those with talent, regardless of gender, color or orientation.”

– Suzy Leech

Suzy has spent her life racing sailboats and was known as “Suzy Bowchick” in the 1995 America’s Cup. She has also sailed as helm, tactician, and navigator on everything from J/70s to Superyachts. She has won over 30 International regattas in 15 separate classes, including three world championships. An Aerospace Engineer, Suzy started her career developing data systems for NASA’s International Space Station. She currently develops database-driven websites, and has conducted remote expeditions for National Geographic, UNESCO and ESPN. She has also worked both in front of and behind a TV camera – commentating, producing, and filming onboard for ESPN.

“Being the first woman is good, but it was never my first objective. We must dare to take the plunge and look at examples of women who have been able to do so to give ourselves courage.” – Clarisse Crémer

Clarisse Crémer is an offshore sailor having competed extensively in the Figaro class before progressing to the IMOCA 50. Her 12th place in the 2020–2021 edition of the Vendée Globe, with a time of 87 days, 2 hours and 24 minutes, is the world record for a single-handed, non-stop, monohull circumnavigation by a woman.

“I prefer to be challenged by conditions and competition rather than by people standing in my way. But I will continue to fight to make a career in sailing a bit easier for the next woman.” – Dawn Riley

Dawn Riley is one of the best-known sailors in the world. She was the first woman ever to manage an America’s Cup syndicate, and the first American (man or woman) to sail in three America’s Cups and two Whitbread Round the World races. Since 2010, she’s used her own experience to help others become sailing professionals, as the Executive Director of Oakcliff Sailing.

“I have always competed against men, and I have always challenged myself to become the best I can be so I can compete on a level playing field. Success comes through perseverance, a lot of hard work, chasing opportunities and a little bit of luck. Nothing is impossible.” – Carolijn Brouwer

Carolijn has sailed in three Olympics and was the only female in the Open Tornado Fleet at the 2008 Games. She’s won the World Sailor of the Year award twice, and was the first female to win Round Texel, the biggest catamaran race in the world. As part of the Dongfeng race team, she became one of the first two women to ever win the Volvo Ocean Race (2017-18).

“Gentlemen who run our sport, women who choose it – from today, open your eyes. Ask ‘why” there’s such a thick male veneer that surrounds what should be a gender equal sporting playground. Think about YOUR own thoughts and actions! From challenge will come change…choose to challenge.” – Shirley Robertson

Shirley Robertson OBE made history by becoming the first British woman to win Olympic Gold Medals at two consecutive Olympic Games. She’s in Scotland’s prestigious Sports Hall of Fame, holds a role as Deputy Lieutenant for the Isle of Wight and is one of the most recognisable faces from the sport of sailing. With a reputation for a strong work ethic and obsessive attention to detail, away from the Olympic arena Shirley continued her sailing career, blazing a trail for women in the sport as the first ever female skipper in the ground breaking Extreme 40 Sailing Series. From luxury superyachts to grand prix race boats, out on the water Shirley’s CV is extensive.

“If it were meant to be easy, then everyone would be doing it.” – Stacey Jackson

Stacey has raced 11 Sydney Hobarts and won line honours onboard Wild Oats. She’s also a regular at TP52 regattas, once sailed a Mumm 30 World Championship, and has completed a Rolex Fastnet Race. She was part of Team SCA for the 2014-2015 Volvo Ocean Race.

“Challenges make me feel alive, and drive me everyday to be the best version of myself. Chasing dreams is what I’ve been doing for 15 years now, and I’m looking forward to what’s up next!” – Francesca Clapcich

Francesca began sailing in Trieste, Italy in 1999. After graduating from the Nautical Institute of Trieste and San Raffaele University with a Sport Science degree, she joined the Italian Air Force and served as a First Senior Airman. She sailed in two Olympics; 2012 in the Laser Radial, and 2016 as crew in the 49er FX. She won both the World and European Championships in 49er FX in 2015, and placed in the top five at the 2013, 2014 and 2016 World Championships and the 2013 and 2015 European Championships. Francesca was part of the Turn the Tide on Plastic team for the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race and was skipper of the 90’ Maxi Golfo di Trieste Wind of Change.

“I choose to challenge to inspire young female sailors to forge a career in the marine industry.” – Bianca Cook

New Zealander Bianca Cook grew up in a boatbuilding family. After starting out in dinghies, she quickly progressed to classic yachts, match racing, and superyachts. She’s accumulated over 100,000 offshore miles, including the 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race onboard Turn the Tide on Plastic. She also sailed on Wild Oats X as part of the Ocean Respect Racing Team, the first professional all-female crew to compete in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart.

“Like a rising tide lifts all boats, we feel that a respect for the talents of each individual lifts all women to accomplish greatness.”

– Nikki Barnes + Lara Dallman-Weiss

Nikki Barnes and Lara Dallman-Weiss teamed up to win US selection for the 2021 Olympics in the women’s 470. Nikki grew up on St. Thomas, USVI and is a commissioned officer in the US Coast Guard. Lara grew up in Minnesota and has worked as a pro sailor and occasional drone pilot. Their final qualifying regatta (the 470 Worlds) wraps up on 13 March.