Celebrating Women in Sailing: The Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron Women’s “Rising to the Challenge- Accelerating Action Dinner”
The Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron Women’s Sportsboat Sprint Series 2025 stands as a powerful testament to the achievements and contributions of women in sailing, coinciding with the celebration of International Women’s Day. This year’s theme, “Rising to the Challenge – Accelerate Action,” underscores the imperative of recognizing and uplifting female sailors, as well as the broader movement towards gender equality within the sport. The event featured a celebratory function that included three inspiring guest speakers, each sharing their unique journeys and experiences in sailing, while emphasizing the significance of community, support, and equal opportunities for women in the maritime world.
Among the distinguished speakers was Gemma Burns, who began her sailing adventure on a Minnow named ‘Blonde Bombshell.’ A pivotal moment in her career came when she won the Minnow Nationals, an achievement that solidified her passion for sailing. Gemma reflected on the strong sense of community and support she encountered throughout her sailing journey, highlighting the equality shared among her peers. The encouragement from training partners and their families fostered a nurturing environment that propelled her forward. Over the years, she successfully transitioned to sailing the 29er, participated in the World Match Racing Tour, and now races J70s and Keelboats at Sandringham. Today, Gemma works full-time in the yachting industry at Sandringham Yacht Club, as the youth and J70 tracing and squad coordinator. Gemma stands out as one of the few women in the yachting industry.
Another inspiring story came from Casey Imeneo, an ILCA 6 superstar and a proud member of the Australian Sailing Team from McCrae. Casey’s sailing journey began with her Minnow ‘Crazy Crayfish,’, later progressing to a Pacer before she found success in the ILCA 6 class on the international stage. Throughout her experiences, she noted that she did not face significant gender-based barriers; rather, her hard work and determination have allowed her to achieve her goals and working towards her dream. Casey credited her family and the sailing community, including access to high-quality elite coaches, as vital to her success.
Bronwyn Ridgeway, our final guest speaker, began her sailing career in a Sabot and simultaneously built a successful career in engineering. Among her proudest moments in sailing have been winning the World Tasar Championship and sailing alongside her daughter, Megan, a couple of years ago. Bronwyn expressed that she had not faced barriers in sailing, potentially due to the classes she has participated in, such as the Tasar, where couples or parents often sail together. Notably, Bronwyn’s greatest achievements unfolded when she returned to the sport after a 20-year hiatus to raise her four children, illustrating that it is never too late to pursue one’s passion.
The event also included a panel discussing how to address gender equality in sailing. Currently, the Australian Sailing Board comprises five women and four men, reflecting a progressive approach to gender representation. World Sailing has committed to achieving a gender-neutral board by 2032 and ensuring gender neutrality in regatta management, including the roles of Principal Race Officers and other sailing-centric roles. Moreover, the Olympic Sailing format has embraced gender neutrality in the representation of male and female competitors.
Looking ahead, the conversation shifted towards the necessity of increasing the visibility of women in management roles within the sailing community. This includes positions in race management, as jury chairs, on-water umpires, and safety officers, alongside promoting female representation in boating and sailing administrative roles. Initiatives like women-only learn-to-sail programs, such as ‘Girl Sail,’ are crucial for providing women with a supportive entry into the sport, enabling them to develop the skills and confidence needed to thrive.
Furthermore, female-only races and regattas are vital for fostering skill development, confidence, and mutual respect within the sailing community. These events empower women, equipping them with the confidence to offer their sailing skills as crew members on mixed-gender or male-dominated boats.
In conclusion, the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron Women’s Sportsboat Sprint Series 2025 not only celebrates the achievements of women in sailing but also advocates for ongoing progress towards gender equality within the sport. By emphasizing the importance of community, support, and visibility, the event aims to create an environment where women are accepted as equals by their male counterparts, fostering a culture of genuine respect and collaboration that extends beyond mere tolerance.
Felicia Brown
Photos courtesy of Brad McKenzie
