Man or Woman – it’s the same game

Ellen MacArthur

Amongst the 82 skippers in the Transat Jacques Vabre, there are 10 women. Despite being far from equal in ratio, these very women are formidable sailors in their own right. There is no stereotype of ‘the sailor’, nor distinction between male or female, as in competition, the only thing which makes a difference is passion. This is largely why female sailors don’t appreciate being asked about the ‘difference’ between the two sexes at sea. Ellen MacArthur makes the point that the only visible difference is of course the physique: “In terms of force there is a difference, as the effort it takes for me to carry out a manoeuvre is greater than that needed by a man.” No further questions need be asked though, as according to these female skippers in every other aspect of short-handed offshore racing, men and women are on an equal playing field!

Professional skippers, students, engineers or nurses by trade, all of these women are in some way ‘married’ to the sea. The only one who has not bathed in the ocean from an early age is Henriette Lemay (BranecIII), as she only took up the sport at the age of 26 years. She started work in Dinard and got the sailing bug soon after, something which has never left her since. All the rest, however have been initiated since their youth, and have woven their way to the top via Optimist and other dinghy sailing, or catamaran and cruising experiences alike.

Samantha Davies

Across the channel, Emma Richards, the only female skipper of an Open 60 monohull ‘Pindar’, is ready to get racing: “I am much more confident since completing the Around Alone race. Even though it is the first time I am entering the Open 60 circuit with my own boat, I feel ready and am itching to get going.” Alongside Emma is 29 year old Brit Samantha Davies on ‘Team Cowes’, who is part of the Offshore Challenges Sailing Team of which Ellen MacArthur is the original skipper. Emma used to be a member of Ellen’s shore team as well, and Sam and Emma used to be part of Tracy Edwards’ Royal SunAlliance maxi-catamaran crew for the Jules Verne, and so there is quite a bond between this triumvirate of British women sailors.

Karine Fauconnier

Back in France, Isabelle Autissier needs no introduction, but she is delighted to be joining forces with Sébastien Josse on Open 60 ‘VMI’: “Despite all my experience, this race os a first for me!”

Karine Fauconnier, on the other hand, is on her second attempt. She is the one female multihull skipper who has nominated a man to race on board ‘Sergio Tacchini’ with her, Irishman Damian Foxall but this is no deliberate choice : “I’ve simply chosen a sailor,” she commented.

Isabelle Autissier

Things you most certainly didn’t know about these women :

Isabelle Autissier : She has a diploma in engineering.

Anne Caseneuve : She spent the first 15 years of her life living in Africa.

Sam Davies : She is just as proficient in rowing as in sailing and was even Captain of Cambridge University Ladies’ Rowing team. She is also a mechanical engineer.

Servane Escoffier : She is studying in Plymouth right now, as part of her course at the ESC in La Rochelle.

Karine Fauconnier : At 18 yrs old, she was an assistant chef, before going into sailing.

Henriette Lemay : After arriving at Dinard, this Aeronautical engineer bought her first dinghy which was badly tied up and ended up on the rocks!

Ellen MacArthur : Her catchphrase « à donf » goes back to 1998 when she had only recently begun speaking French and a journalist asked her to say her favourite French expression. This phrase is part of French slang, mainly used by young people, to mean ‘full on’ or ‘go for it!’, and has remained her slogan ever since.

Michèle Paret : As well as sailing, she is also into athletics, motorbikes, windsurfing...the list goes on!

Emma Richards : At 23 years old, she joined the all female crew on board maxi-catamaran Royal Sun Alliance, skippered by Tracy Edwards for an attempt on the Jules Verne Trophy. Sam Davies was also part of this crew.

Marie Sergent : A nurse by trade, she decided to team up with Jean-Marie Bouchired to raise awareness for the fight against Parkinson’s disease.

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