Are they tough enough?

2001-2002 Volvo Ocean Race “Amer Sport Too” Skipper Lisa McDonald Running a Pre Leg Crew Meeting – Photo By: Rich Roberts

In September 06 the Ericsson Racing Team announced their entry into the next Volvo Ocean Race due to commence in 2008.

It was no surprise really as the team are eager to better their fifth place result in the 2005-2006 race which finally reached the finish line in Gothenburg in June.

Since the announcement of their return, rumours have been flying around with regards to them following in the successful wake of Team ABN AMRO by entering two boats into the toughest yacht race in the world.

But there is more to the rumour. It’s been whispered that the second team will not be the typical line up of strapping lads and blokes with rugged salty imprints, but rather a boat full of women who will take on the boys and play their game for the duration of the race.

But Ericsson is not alone. After failing to secure a title sponsor for the 2005-2006 Volvo Ocean Race, Boating Partners has announced they intend on entering an all women’s crew in the next race.

As a female I am hoping there is truth behind the rumour and that Boating Partners enters the girls in the race as I think it would be an awesome venture for the sport if there was an all girls boat amongst the men and it were husbands and boyfriends waving goodbye at each dock along side the wives and girlfriends of the competing crews.

We all know that yachting has previously been regarded as a male dominated sport, however over the recent years women are proving they are just as, and sometimes even more capable than the competing sex when it comes to high performance racing.

I proved this to myself by overcoming a barrier and landing a key position on a well known Australian yacht that has recently competed in an array of regattas. To be accepted as “one of the boys” can sometimes be a daunting process, but at the end of the day, if you know what you’re doing, don’t make stupid mistakes and understand the meaning of the word TEAM, there is no reason why you can’t work it just as hard as the guys do.

But I am definitely not the first girl to get onboard and race. And let’s face it, I know my limits and they are no where near the standard required to compete in such an endurance bashing race, however there are women out there who love yacht racing like I do and who were given the opportunity to race in demanding circumstances.

Remember the 1993-94 Whitbread entry “Heineken”? One of the worlds most talented sailors Adrienne Cahalan was onboard the all women crew racing yacht which lined up against the guys. Unfortunately they were extremely under funded and therefore just couldn’t match the standard of the competing yachts.

In the 2001-2002 Volvo Ocean Race “Amer Sports Too” again carried an all female crew skippered by Lisa McDonald with Emma Westmacott as watch captain. They may have ended up finishing at the bottom of the ladder, however it’s a difficult fate to embark on when you are given ‘hand-me-downs’ from the dominate yacht in your team.

There was also “Elle Racing”, however again due to difficulties, the campaign dreams disappeared on the horizon.

Hopefully team managers, sponsors and everyone related to the sport have taken the past expeditions on board and developed from issues encountered in previous campaigns. If it happens and the girls are on board for the 2008 Volvo Ocean Race start, would the rules be altered so they were able to carry more crew on board to compensate for the obvious difference in strength that men and women carry? Should such a rule be allowed to change, or should the ladies be set on the straight and narrow and told that if they want to race they play by the same rules that every other crew must abide by. No special exceptions.

But who would make the cut? Who would benefit the overall success of the campaign and lead the ladies around the world battling the elements? Are there enough talented girls out there racing yachts on a regular basis or would it a better option to look at the talent that lies in other fleets around the world?

Everyone would say Ellen MacArthur, but there are plenty of other women out there just as capable.

It’s a massive commitment to make and the decision to race can, could and will change the lives of everyone involved.

Hopefully the rumour will be confirmed and the press releases will bombard the yachting media world as the Ericsson Racing Team announces their two boat program, and Boating Partners broadcasts their crew for the 2008 Volvo Ocean Race.

But are they tough enough?