On Tuesday 8 April, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) hosted a packed speaker evening featuring 2.0 Racing—an all-women match racing team proudly representing RNZYS on the global stage. Over 100 people turned out to hear their story. It wasn’t just a feel-good evening. It was a powerful look at what it takes to build a campaign, compete internationally, and aim to be the best in the world—all while smashing glass ceilings. Hosted by RNZYS Chair of the House, Hamish Williams, the event struck a chord. The crowd left inspired. If you missed it, you can still support them at www.twopointzeroracing.org.
But 2.0 Racing isn’t a one-off. It’s part of something bigger.
Globally, the Women’s Match Racing Tour stands as the only professional international sailing series for women, recognised by World Sailing as a Special Event. Since its inception in 2013, it’s been a showcase for the sport’s top female athletes. These regattas attract world-class competition and spotlight women operating at the highest level of tactical and physical performance.
Closer to home, events like the PredictWind-supported Girls Regatta at Kohimarama Yacht Club continue to be crowd favourites. Watching fleets of young women launching off the beach and battling it out on the racecourse is not only inspiring—it’s proof that the pipeline of female talent in Aotearoa is strong.
The Evolution Sails NZ Women on Water Weekend, hosted at Gulf Harbour Yacht Club, is another standout event. Designed as both a social and competitive weekend, it celebrates female sailors of all levels, from beginners to veterans. It’s one of the few events where mentoring, race training, and celebration collide in a single weekend.
Community groups are doing a huge amount of the groundwork. The Women Who Sail New Zealand and Women Who Sail Australia groups are much more than online forums. They’re lifelines. They connect thousands of women with shared knowledge, stories, technical advice, and the occasional reality check.
The Australian group recently hosted the 2025 WWSA Gathering on the Bay in Port Stephens drew women from across the country for four days of skills workshops, expert presentations, and on-water sessions. From marine diesel engines to deck hardware and marine radios, the content was practical, empowering, and comprehensive.
And the gains aren’t just happening at the grassroots level.
One of the most significant shifts is happening offshore. The upcoming 2025 Island Cruising Pacific Rally will see 14 female skippers take the helm—out of 125 registered vessels. That’s the highest number in the rally’s 40-year history and marks a clear upward trend: just two female skippers were registered in 2022, six in 2023, and six again in 2024. This year’s jump represents not just a statistic, but a cultural shift in offshore cruising.
At the 2024 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, two women-led yachts, Ocean Crusaders J-Bird and Active Again, cracked the top ten for Line Honours. Skippers Annika Thomson and Stephanie Kerin not only outsailed many male-led crews but brought with them a wave of recognition for the capability and leadership of women in one of the world’s toughest races.
Slingshot, a Gunboat 68 formerly raced in Europe as Highland Fling XVII, is now skippered by Queenslander Dara Johnson. With Adrienne Cahalan (of Wild Oats XI fame) navigating and Steve Quigley as Sailing Master, Slingshot’s campaign is built around developing young female sailors. First Mate Maddy McLeay and Chelsea Williams, both from the CYCA Youth Sailing Academy, represent the next generation of offshore women sailors.
In a historic win, Kelsey Muir became the first woman in 104 years to helm a boat to victory in the Lipton Cup, one of New Zealand’s most coveted trophies, sailing her beloved mullet boat Rangi Manu to triumph. It was a moment that symbolised just how far women have come in a sport long dominated by men.
And on the powerboating circuit, Lily Weir continues to dominate the E and F classes, heading into this season with a clear aim at a three-peat. Her consistency and competitiveness have made her a standout in a discipline where female representation remains relatively low.
New Zealand has produced some of the most respected female sailors in the world. Dame Naomi James was the first woman to sail solo around the world via Cape Horn—at the time, an almost mythical achievement. She was also the second woman ever to complete a solo circumnavigation. Her courage paved the way for others.
The London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics brought further attention to Kiwi excellence, with Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie—aka “Team Jolly”—securing gold and silver medals in the Women’s 470 class. Their chemistry, precision, and sheer determination put New Zealand on the Olympic sailing map in a big way.
Alex Maloney and Molly Meech, who won silver in the 49erFX at the 2016 Rio Games, and Gemma Jones, who represented NZ in the Nacra 17 class, are also among the top international competitors representing the fern.
And the pipeline continues. Liv Mackay, already a standout in Nacra 17 racing, is now strategist for the Black Foils in SailGP—an elite tactical role in one of the fastest, most competitive sailing circuits in the world.
Jo Aleh, Erica Dawson, Molly Meech, Gemma Jones, and Liv Mackay are also central to New Zealand’s Women’s America’s Cup team, competing in the inaugural event set to make history at AC37. Their inclusion isn’t symbolic—it’s strategic. These are world-class sailors, and their presence reflects the sport’s gradual but essential turn towards parity.
The momentum doesn’t stop on the racecourse. Initiatives like WildChix are helping everyday women build confidence on the water. Whether it’s learning to dock, handling sails, navigating, or just getting comfortable on board, WildChix fosters a supportive community where questions are encouraged, and knowledge is freely shared.
It’s also worth acknowledging voices like Shirley Robertson—although not a Kiwi, a double Olympic gold medallist and now a highly respected sailing commentator. Her insights bring depth and perspective to coverage of major regattas and help spotlight the growing presence of women in the sport.
So what’s behind this surge?
Part of it is visibility. Girls and women are seeing others who look like them succeeding on the water. That matters. Representation fuels confidence. Another factor is access—more clubs are actively running women’s regattas, offering learn-to-sail pathways that cater to different learning styles, and removing some of the barriers (both structural and cultural) that have kept women on the sidelines.
Technology is helping too. With better gear, more ergonomic designs, and better information online, the practical barriers to entry are lower than ever. Social media, YouTube, and online communities are filling the gaps that traditional institutions often overlook.
But maybe the biggest change is the mindset. The old story—where men run the boats and women pack the sandwiches—is being replaced with something better. A story where anyone can learn, lead, and love life on the water.
Still, there’s work to be done. Gender balance in professional sailing, big-name races, and leadership roles in the marine industry is still patchy at best. But momentum is a powerful thing. And what we’re seeing now—at youth events, in club races, offshore rallies, and Facebook groups—is a rising tide that shows no signs of slowing down.
The message is clear: Women aren’t just making up the numbers. They’re making waves.
