Introduction to Za Ocean Racing's WOmen's Program

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I have sailed on and off throughout my life. Starting on OYCA’s Sir Thomas Sopwith in the 90s, a few years twilight crewing at MHYC and CYCA, bareboat charters around the world, Mums and Bubs sailing out of Manly etc etc. 

Career, kids and life got in the way of doing what I love most, sailing. I am now back sailing, Onshore and Offshore. Sail by Sail I am building my experience, knowledge and confidence. 

I love being on and in the ocean and want to learn as much possible about boats and offshore sailing. I have some unfinished business with the Sydney to Hobart and am dedicated to fulfilling that goal.

Hi, I’m Annie, a 26-year-old Brit from Yorkshire who moved to Sydney four years ago. My sailing journey began back in 2015 on a school trip to France, where I first tried Hobie Cats and the rest is history. I initially stayed on the cruising side of sailing, earning my Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper qualifications (given that Yorkshire’s reservoirs are freezing for most of the year!).

Moving to Sydney really kick-started my racing career. I’ve found the scene here incredibly welcoming and have met some amazing people along the way. I’ve raced on a range of boats, both inshore and offshore, including a DK46, Beneteau 47.7, Sydney 38, and J70.

When I’m not out on the water, I work as a software engineer, a role I love for its mix of problem-solving, teamwork, and the opportunity to build and improve systems (hopefully making people’s lives a bit easier).

I’m adventurous, love a laugh, and am always up for anything that involves the ocean especially if whales are involved. I’m keen to keep pushing my skills in challenging conditions and am really excited to be part of Za’s all-female offshore crew!

 I’m Bayley, 20 years old, I've grown up with sailing, my dad was always sailing and I followed his footsteps as soon as I turned 7. I went through the Tackers program at RPAYC with Tommy Spithill as the coach. I then moved through the opti fleet, green, intermediate, and open. After optis I started sailing a laser, and went to the 2019 laser 4.7 youth worlds. While sailing the laser I got back into keelboats starting with the intermediate youth development program at RPAYC with Tommy as our coach again. While doing all this I was also sailing on a few bigger boats making my way into the 40 footers and stepping into offshore sailing. I decided to move on from lasers and focus more on bigger boats, this led me to join the Youth Development program at RPAYC. In this program I have learnt to match race, alongside this I jumped hard into the offshore world completing a couple thousand miles in a very short time finishing off with my first Hobart race at 19. Since then I have been doing as much as possible, sailing on fast 40s, TP52s, Farr 40s and more. Sailing is what keeps me sane, helps me find a reason to keep fighting despite my body shutting down on me at the age of 20, without sailing my chronic illnesses would have destroyed my life years ago.

Passionate about empowering women in sailing, I love adventure, connection, and continuous learning. Sailing brings me pure joy, whether racing, teamwork, or facing challenges with positivity. After just over four years on the water, I’m committed to growing my skills and supporting others.

Za’s Ocean Racing program is a dream opportunity to develop as a sailor and to work towards becoming an instructor and coach. I currently race on 38-50ft yachts in ocean races and enjoy harbour racing in Sydney Harbour. I’m also a dinghy sailor and own an RS Aero 7 and share an RS200 with my husband. I’m currently learning to trapeze on skiffs, flying downwind trimming a spinnaker is addictive and exhilarating.

As a proud mum of two boys, one with autism, I celebrate neurodiversity and believe our differences are strengths. Sailing is my journey of growth, connection, and joy—and I aim to inspire others that women can lead, succeed, and thrive on the water at any stage in their lives.

I'm an Irish offshore sailor with over 60,000 nautical miles of experience, including leading a team as First Mate in a circumnavigation race around the globe. My background spans offshore and ocean racing, expedition sailing, and youth engagement across diverse maritime environments in Europe, Asia, America, and the Caribbean. I grew up on a landlocked farm in Ireland, and my journey to becoming an Ocean Racer has made me deeply passionate about growing the sport of sailing and promoting inclusivity.

I currently work with SailGP’s Purpose team, delivering programs that aim to inspire and support the next generation of athletes. Passionate about life on the water and always ready for a new challenge, I’m excited to be joining the ZA Ocean Racing Squad this year.

Sailing has been a major part of my life since the age of five, and I’ve always been drawn to the sense of freedom it brings. Beyond the thrill of racing, what I value most are the friendships and connections that form through shared experiences, whether it's with teammates or fellow competitors.

I bring a wide range of experience across many classes and roles, from sailing Sabots and Lasers in my early years to captaining the Monte Sant Angelo Mercy College Teams Racing team. I’ve competed in twilight races on MC38s for LawConnect and several yacht clubs, and have recently taken to foiling on Waszps. I’m also part of the crew on the J111 Justified, currently leading the point score in the Winter Series, CYCA.

As a proud sailor and coach at Hunters Hill Sailing Club, I work closely with the Laser squad and am training on the 29er. I also enjoy spending time across various clubs; racing 16ft skiffs, foiling, or heading out on yachts at CYCA.

I’m deeply passionate about advocating for women in sailing. I’ve taken part in She Sails programs, the Australian Sailing Youth Leadership Program, and Magenta Foiling Clinics, all of which have empowered me and connected me with a broader community of inspiring women in the sport.

Joining Za’s ocean racing program represents an incredible opportunity, not only to grow as a sailor in a supportive, high-performance environment, but to be part of a movement that’s changing the landscape for women in sailing. I’m excited not only for what lies ahead for me but also for the opportunities this program is creating for others in the sailing community.

 I started sailing in the She Sails program at Tweed Valley Sailing Club in 2020 and began racing frequently in crewed dinghies, lasers and bigger yachts offshore. Competed in my first Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2022 as a trimmer and then my second Sydney Hobart was in 2024 with the Making Waves Foundation as helm. Some other sailing highlights have been the all-female team in the Round Hainan Regatta 2023 as bow and learning to foil in the waszp and 69F with Magenta Foiling Team. 

Originally from the USA, Malin’s love of sailing began in childhood, cruising with family during holidays. That early connection to the sea grew into a deeper passion while racing in New York, and truly took off after relocating to Sydney, Australia.

In 2024, Malin had her first introduction to competitive offshore racing, taking part in the CYCA Blue Water Pointscore and achieving a major milestone by competing in her first Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

Malin is a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron and and is always looking for new opportunities to grow her skills and experience on the water. She is proud to be part of the Za Ocean Racing team, inspired by Elizabeth’s courage in pursuing her dream to compete in the Global Solo Challenge and the opportunity she’s creating for women to learn, grow, and be part of that  journey.

Whitney is a sailor, navigator, yacht owner, and aspiring storyteller with a deep passion for the ocean and adventure. Her goal is to inspire resilience, adaptability, and optimism.

She spent several years working with Hood Sailmakers, focusing on custom covers, the occasional spinnaker, and learning the behind-the-scenes details that keep boats ocean-ready. She stepped back in early 2024 to manage her heart condition, which led to multiple surgeries—including a pulmonary valve replacement in February 2025 (her third open-heart, just to keep things interesting).

Among many inshore and offshore races, Whitney navigated the prestigious Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, a rare role for a first-timer. With only five years of racing experience, she’s now preparing for a return to ocean racing with several events on the horizon, including the Sydney to Auckland Race, with her sights set on navigating the 2025 Hobart, this time with a functioning heart.

Her recovery hasn’t been easy, but Whitney brings optimism, a bubbly spirit, and a determined approach to everything she does.

She also owns Luna, a 1984 Phantom 32 she’s been restoring with her partner, equal parts labour of love, chaos, and triumph. She’s preparing to document an expedition to Antarctica, combining her love for storytelling, wild places, wildlife, science, and sustainability.

Through it all, Whitney hopes to show others it’s possible to overcome adversity and live boldly and positively—no matter the course.