“I’m pregnant,” Katja shared during an on-stage interview. “It’s big news for me, and it’s going to completely change my life for the next few months. For female athletes, it’s a unique challenge because pregnancy means I’m no longer allowed to sail on the F50. That’s difficult, but I’m hoping to come back even stronger.”
Her openness, alongside the growing recognition of SailGP athletes adding to their families, sparked a broader conversation about the policies and allowances made for athletes navigating pregnancy, maternity leave, and parental responsibilities in competitive sailing. While strides have been made, there is still significant progress to be achieved.
Katja’s announcement highlights an ongoing struggle in professional sports. Current regulations in high-performance sailing, such as restrictions on pregnant sailors competing on F50 boats, underscore the physical demands of the sport. However, this is not the first pregnancy for a woman athlete in SailGP or even high-performance sailing circles, and questions have been raised about how professional sporting events accommodate athletes during this pivotal time in their lives.
During the event, Katja admitted to the emotional and logistical hurdles of her announcement: “It’s been super difficult to navigate, to announce, and to speak to my teammates. But the more we talk about it, the easier it might be for others in the future.” Her sentiment reflects the growing need for open dialogue and shared experiences to normalise the conversation around pregnancy in sports.
Competitive sailing has seen some progress in addressing parental needs. The World Sailing Trust’s Project Juno report highlights several recommendations, including standardised maternity and paternity leave policies and pathways for athletes to return to competition. However, inconsistencies persist across sport teams and governing bodies.
For instance, while some athletes like Hannah Mills and Manon Audinet have successfully returned to competition after maternity leave, the path remains far from uniform. Many women in sailing face uncertainty about their roles, team dynamics, and physical readiness post-pregnancy. Additionally, societal expectations often place undue pressure on women to justify their decisions regarding parenthood and career.
I had the opportunity to have a brief one-on-one conversation with Hannah Mills during today’s pre-regatta media conference. When asked about her experiences with SailGP, she emphasised the strong support she has received, particularly from the Great Britain team. However, she noted that such experiences often depend on the individual team, and that another female sailor might face different circumstances. Mills also suggested that integrating a pregnant SailGP sailor into other roles, such as analysis and planning, could be highly beneficial to the team, leveraging the rich experience of that sailor on other areas they would add value to.
Back at the Breaking Boundaries conference, Martine Grael, driver for the Mubadala Brazil SailGP Team, touched on this issue during the event, reframing biological challenges as strengths: “When we were younger, we were often told being a girl came with certain problems. But I’ve learned that there are times when those same biological factors give us superpowers.” Her perspective highlights the need to shift attitudes within the sailing industry and beyond.
The discussion extended beyond Katja’s personal journey to broader themes of empowerment and inclusivity. Liv Mackay of the New Zealand SailGP team expressed admiration for female athletes who have returned stronger after having children: “Hannah Mills and Manon Audinet are examples of how you can come back even stronger. There are so many aspects of our sport you can learn while having kids.”
Platforms like SailGP and initiatives such as Project Juno provide an opportunity to amplify these conversations. By normalising pregnancy and parenthood in competitive sailing, the industry can pave the way for greater equity and inclusivity.
Katja Salskov-Iversen’s announcement is a powerful reminder that the intersection of parenthood and professional sports is a frontier still being navigated. While the sailing community has made strides, significant gaps remain. By championing policies that support athletes during parenthood and beyond, the industry can truly break boundaries, setting an example for sports worldwide. As Katja optimistically put it, “Hopefully, I’ll get back on board and be even stronger.” Her journey—and the conversations it has inspired—marks a crucial step toward a more inclusive future for all athletes.
