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11:37 Tuesday 9 Aug 2016 Sue Pelling/AAMCWAll aboard for Ladies Day

fast40+ girls Lizzy Shawcroft (right) and Zoë Dunne – photo – Sunset + Vine/AAMCW

Ladies Day celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year and, to mark this significant day within Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week, there are plenty of celebrations taking place.

Although sailing is one of the few sports where men and women can compete on equal terms, it is still generally perceived as male-dominated. However, recognising that the numbers of women competing at the regatta was consistently on the increase, the organisers introduced Ladies day in 2006 with the idea to champion the role of women in sailing.

Ladies Day is now one of the key events in the Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week schedule and hugely popular among the women competing here.

Lizzy Shawcroft (28) who works for Grapefruit Graphics, in Hamble does mid-bow on the FAST40+ Jubilee. Although she is a seasoned racer, having competed in many offshore regattas including winning her class in the windy 2007 Fastnet, crewing a Sigma 32, she says becoming ‘one of the boys’ is a challenge:

“I am definitely a minority because I am the only girl on board so it is great that Ladies day takes place. I really enjoy sailing with the boys but you have to work your way up at this sort of level. I actually got into keelboat sailing through random offshore races, signing up to crew via the internet, which my mum didn’t approve of but it was a great way to get a get on a boat, so I ended up doing many crazy offshore races including the Round Britain and Ireland Race with five girls and a bloke, which was fun.

“Today we are flying the flag for the girls. I would say to other girls wanted to make the step into big boat sailing, it is important to start on smaller boats, learn the ‘ropes’ and work your way up.”

Zoë Dunne (27) who works as property manager for an investor developer does pit on the FAST40+ Tokoloshe II, also a GP42. Dunne has been racing with Mike Bartholomew's team on Tokoloshe for years, including on his previous boats.

“The boys I sail with are like my brothers. We look out for each other, which is really nice. I have to say though, because I didn’t know them very well at first I was really worried about messing up so I was constantly trying to do better. As a girl on board it is important to feel valid, you don’t just want to be another girl; that is not the point of it.

“When Mike bought the new boat, I got told by one of the boys on the boat that I couldn’t sail on the boat because I wasn’t going to be strong enough. That was the incentive I needed. I immediately found a gym and thought ‘I am just going to smash this’, and it has just gone on from there; I am addicted to going to the gym. So, really, I have that guy to thank now because for sure it gave me the ultimate motivation to improve.

“There is no doubt you have to be pretty strong, to be able to drag the sails forward, pack them and constantly move them all about. The Code Zero is just so heavy. You have just got to be able to slot in, in as many different places. The boys on Tokoloshe II are really good at ensuring I progress on the boat by making me do more and more. Yes, I really feel I am part of the team.

“For all those girls wanting to do a similar thing, I’d say take every opportunity you get, go for it and, most of all, don’t be that dizzy blond, just get stuck in, enjoy it and show the boys what your made of.”

Hannah Bibby (21) is sailing a Swallow this week courtesy of the Swallow class association’s bursary boat. This scheme, masterminded by class member Anthony Lunch, is designed to encourage youngsters into the sport. Chatting before she headed out for the fourth day of racing, Bibby commented:

“In celebration of Ladies Day the boys I’m sailing with are letting me take the helm today. I think it is fantastic that Cowes hosts a Ladies Day because it is very noticeable that it is a very male dominated, particularly on the helm, so it is great to have a day where ladies can celebrate their participation.

“They are fantastic boats to sail. I am sailing with two other boys. We’ve all just graduated from Cambridge, which is where we heard about the bursary boat scheme.

“This is my first time at Cowes Week and I am loving it. It is so great to be part of a team that is so keen to support young people sailing.”