News - 2014

16:39 Thursday 7 Aug 2014 Sue Pelling/CWLYoung female skipper on target for Young Skipper's Trophy

Photo – Rick Tomlinson/CWL

Nicola Henderson (21) from Guildford has been racing at Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week with her all-girl team aboard Girlsforsail.com2, on a Beneteau 40.7 in Cruiser B class.

With the entire team sporting their signature pink t-shirts today, there was no doubt about them really embracing Ladies Day.

Henderson, currently leading the Young Skipper’s Trophy, said “Ladies Day is amazing. I started racing at Cowes Week a few years ago and in that time  I have really seen how women in sailing has developed, in particular all female teams. It is so important because, like a lot of sports, it is still male dominated.

“I didn't pick up sailing on yachts until 17 and absolutely fell in love with it. I did my Day Skipper, left school, and went straight into it and managed to pick up a couple of good deliveries including an Atlantic crossing and some racing.”

Chatting about her success to date in the Young Skipper’s category, Henderson concluded: “Racing with Girls for Sail as one of their skippers is fantastic. I have just arrived back from the Caribbean having sailed the ARC and won the youngest skipper for that, so I am hoping I can make it two in a row with a win here. It is quite close with Jugador so it is really fun out there.”