A Brief History
On July 28, 2018, Australian yacht skipper Wendy Tuck made sailing history by becoming the first female skipper to win the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Held every two years, this epic boat race is run by Clipper Ventures that supplies 11 identical yachts to skippers and crews to compete in since 1996, with only 2004 skipped.
Digging Deeper
A real test of skill and endurance, all participants are required to undergo a four-week training program before the race. The same year that Wendy Tuck made sailing history, British skipper Nikki Henderson became the youngest person to captain one of the competing yachts, another Fabulous Female First! In fact, Nikki finished second in that historic race, giving the ladies a 1-2 finish.
Wendy Tuck is now nearly 60 years old and has been sailing since the age of 24. Wendy cites female sailing legends Ellen MacArthur and Kay Cottee as her inspiration.
Question for students (and subscribers) to ponder: Who is the greatest female sailor?
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
Cordingly, David. Women Sailors and Sailors’ Women: An Untold Maritime History. Random House, 2001.
Golden, Jane. A Woman’s Guide to the World of Sailing: The Dreams and Realities of Cruising, Crossing, and Competitive Racing. Seaworthy Publications, 2023.
