Getting to Know Sally Barkow “Pay attention to what you love to do, and make the effort to do it.” – Sally Barkow Interview by SARAH RENZ ow soon after you learned how to sail, did you begin racing?
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It was one in the same. I started sailing in the Opti and was quickly introduced to racing. My instructors made it very fun!
How much effect did your brothers have on your sailing career growing up? A lot! They, along with my sister and parents, were there to teach me, coach me, race against me, push me, argue the rules with me, show me how to win and lose, and now are a huge source of encouragement and support. It would be hard to have gotten here without them. What quote from a sailing icon is most memorable to you? John Gehl: “Go with the flow and beat ‘em with boat speed.” Buddy Melges has too many iconic sayings, it’s hard to pick one. He is a great role model for the sport. Which do you prefer: lake or ocean racing? Lake!
Have you experienced the effects of pollution in the lakes and oceans? Plastic water bottles every boat length in the Indian Ocean was a sad sight during the Volvo Ocean Race. On SCA, we all vowed to never use plastic water bottles again! How did The Magenta Project come to life? The Magenta Project is a continuation of the girls who raced on SCA in the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race. We really felt there was a legacy to carry on after the Race; thus, we created The Magenta Project. What inspires you most about The Magenta Project? The idea that the Project is bigger than any of us. 16
Blinker | Spring 2016
Is there any goal, sailing related that seems lofty to you? America’s Cup continues to be “lofty”, but in the same time still a dream.
What would you say to the young adults, campaigning and living on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Pay attention to what you love to do, and make the effort to do it. It will be worth it if you love what you are doing, keep going! It can lead to some great places. How does Chicago stand as a sailing city in comparison to the rest of the world? Where can we improve the most? The America’s Cup World Series events will show the world what a great sailing stadium Chicago is. I know there will be many positive outcomes for sailing there in the near future!
