June 8, 2022
3 minutes reading time
Steering the Course 2022 highlights the variety of opportunities for women in sailing
The Northern Hemisphere edition of Steering the Course 2022 wrapped up on 29 May after a 10-day festival of women’s sailing where the vast range of opportunities were on show for all to see.
The Northern Hemisphere edition of Steering the Course 2022 wrapped up on 29 May after a 10-day festival of women’s sailing where the vast range of opportunities were on show for all to see. From elite level to discovering a new hobby, coaching, officiating, roles in race management and leadership, hundreds of women from 23 countries took to the water to show the possibilities sailing has to offer.
Among the festivities were events launched by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Sailing Association and Sint Maarten Yacht Club which showed the potential to grow women’s sailing in the Caribbean. Over 40 women took part in St Vincent and the Grenadines with many already expressing an interest in becoming regular sailors, while 60 joined in Try Sailing and paddleboard Pilates at Ladies’ Open Day in Sint Maarten.
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The Hungarian Sailing Federation introduced young female sailors to two-time Olympian and nine-time Hungarian Sailor of the Year, Mári Érdi and showed the youngsters how far sailing can take them. More than half of the Federation’s youth team is made up of female sailors and the teams are making great progress in all ages and all teams.
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Meanwhile, the Royal Yachting Association in Great Britain shared the Sally’s story. Sally was brand new to sailing and is recovering from a stroke. Joining her local Sailability group at Pitsford Reservoir, Northamptonshire, Sally progressed quickly from learning with more experienced sailors to taking the helm on her own and gained her RYA Level 1 Start Sailing certificate before moving onto Level 2.
Learn more about Sally’s story here:
Events were also held in Croatia, Denmark, France, Greece, Slovakia, China and Japan, South Africa, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Grenada, and St. Kitts, making this the biggest edition to date!
Musto, World Sailing’s Official Clothing Partner, interviewed brand ambassadors Sam Davies, Vita Heathcote and Alexandra Wardall to share their experiences with the next generation of champion sailors and managers.
Events continue into June and through to October events in the Women on Water Regatta held in Norway, Poland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Switzerland.
More details about the events held during Steering the Course and those still to come is available here.
The Southern Hemisphere edition of Steering the Course 2022 will take place from Friday 30 September to Sunday 9 October 2022. To get involved, please contact training@sailing.org for more information.
eSailing
A new eSailing challenge was launched exclusively for this year’s Steering the Course, allowing female eSailors to battle it out in three exciting locations – Barbados, Copenhagen and Plymouth – with the boats changing from ILCA to 49er to Nacra 17 for each location.
In total, there were 6376 unique players, and together they sailed 44986 miles!
The top 20 now move on to the eSailing World Championships semi-finals which will be held during the Steering the Course festival in October.
Leaderboard
Female ranking:
- Ayaka Nakayama (Hell2U)
- Natalia Pryba (AntilaAquila)
- Rosalba Giordano (sosi)
- Sandra Schaer (Yuzu)
- Barbara Cavyn (TRAP Barbie22)
- Nana Hu (Laser201314)
- Alma Atzori (AlmA-AZ)
- Jenna Snedker (Rooster Jenna S)
- Maria Cristina Gatta (CRIOK700 – CVD)
- Miki Hanako (Kanako_)
Share your story with us
World Sailing’s social media channels will share content from people, clubs and countries taking part in Steering the Course and women’s sailing events throughout the year in order to elevate the fantastic efforts of those involved worldwide.
Please feel free to share imagery and video content from your country or sailing club with us on social media.
Use the hashtag #SteeringTheCourse and tag in our social media accounts on the following platforms:
We’ll try and share as much content as possible with our followers!
You can also send your photos and videos to us directly at content@sailing.org using WeTransfer.com to send larger files if required.