WOMEN AT THE HELM GOING THE DISTANCE
Dulcinea racing with the sign “Racing for Ruth: Women belong in ALL spaces where decisions are being made.” Photo by Kelly Moon.
WHEN A NEW REGATTA IS MET WITH INCREDIBLE SUCCESS AND ENTHUSIASM… WHAT DO YOU DO? DO IT AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME GO FURTHER! After the first Women at the Helm Regatta (WATH1), the Shilshole Women Sailors Group (SWSG), co-led by Shauna Walgren and Elise Sivilay held a race review. Elise explains, “SWSG is a community of women that come together to support each other in their sailing endeavors. Every third Thursday evening of the month, SWSG hosts a social (either virtually or in-person at Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle) to bring women together around a variety of relevant topics. Open to anyone—including men—who relishes the pure love of sailing, and is committed to fostering a supportive, relaxed, and non-judgmental environment for all.” As the group excitedly discussed the fun, success, and terrific enthusiasm for the inaugural WATH, an idea was put forth for a distance race. She Regatta had been cancelled due to Covid, and thus a date had opened up in late September. Eric Finn, from the Sloop Tavern Yacht Club (STYC), attended this virtual post-race meeting. He took the distance race idea to STYC and they, once again, unanimously agreed to support our local women sailors. Thus, the second, longer-distance version of Women at the Helm (WATH2) was born. It is a lot of work to create and run a race, let alone when the window from inception to event date is less than 30 days in the midst of a global pandemic. It is representative of STYC’s commitment to local women sailors and to expanding equity in sailing that they pulled it off. Dana Brooks was on Rubigale to perform committee boat duties, with assistance from STYC 48º NORTH
board member, Mike Danger. Dana said, “Registration filled within 48 hours and 21 of 25 registered boats made the race. I wish I had kept better count of the all-female boats, but Mike remembers me mentioning them as they finished and we both remarked on how cool it was. Despite the light wind start, everyone finished well within the time limits.” Elise added about the rapid race prep endeavor, “A whole community of sailors put forth tremendous effort to ensure a strong showing and successful event. SWSG recruited boat owners and the Seattle Sailing Club to lend boats, invited women to helm and crew, and organized weekly practices. The September social was a “Chalk Talk” in preparation for WATH2 with Sail Like a Girl race team skipper, Jeanne Assael Goussev, and members, Haley Lhamon and Christa Bassett Ross. It was a success with over 28 participants joining and openly discussing race strategy and tactics. A great time was had by all.” As the date neared, not only was COVID casting its shadow of uncertainty on the event, but dangerous smoke and air quality loomed throughout the region, calling the race into question. Luckily, the air cleared the day before the race and the game was on! Smoke clearing wasn’t the only serendipitous element to the timing of WATH2—it felt special to hold a women’s race the day after Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, died. Many of the sailors dedicated the day to her lifelong service to this country and equality for women. Relatedly, the event logo (created by the author) featured sailing women with diverse
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NOVEMBER 2020
