Thanks to Suzanne and Alan for this latest sailing news. Ed
Isle of Wight sailor Leigh McMillan’s tactician on board The Wave Muscat, Sarah Ayton, has been presented with a top award.
With two Olympic gold medals (one as team mate of Island resident Shirley Robertson) and an OBE already to her name Sarah has been awarded the highest recognition a sailor can achieve, the International Sailing Federation Rolex World Sailor of the Year 2015.
Only Extreme Sailing Series female sailor
Picking up the prestigious award at a ceremony in Sanya, China this award is in recognition for her outstanding performance as the only female sailor on the Extreme Sailing Series. Sarah was nominated alongside some of the sport’s most influential female sailors including British Volvo Ocean Race skipper Sam Davies.
Speaking shortly after arriving home in the UK, Sarah said,
“I’m overwhelmed, it is such a huge honour to even be nominated for an award that so many inspirational women have won or been nominated for in the past. My heart was racing and when my name was called as the winner – I was more nervous than before the final race at the Olympic Games.”
Key part in championship-leading crew
As the only woman currently competing in the Extreme Sailing Series she is playing a key part in Leigh McMillan’s championship-leading crew on The Wave, Muscat. On board Sarah is involved in both sail handling and manoeuvres but also, most crucially, in calling tactics that have helped The Wave, Muscat to five regatta victories this season out of a possible seven.
She explained,
“On the water my role in the Extreme Sailing Series is just like any other sailor – you get stuck into racing and being a woman doesn’t come into it, I’m the tactician.
“But it’s off the water is when it really hits home what a unique position I’m in.
“A lot of female guests come up to me, almost with a tear in their eye, and I guess they are inspired watching me out there on the water. I feel really privileged to be in that position, to be able to inspire anyone in the world of sailing or elsewhere.”
Sarah has made a huge impact on the Series
Commenting on the award, Andy Tourell the Extreme Sailing Series Event Director said,
“I am delighted for Sarah who has made a huge impact on the Series not only as a world class talent but also an ambassador for the sport, blazing a trail for female sailors and inspiring the next generation around the world.”
Next and last round of the 2015 Extreme sailing Series will take in Sydney between the 10th-13th December.
Image: © Lloyd Images
