British Sailing Team and ILCA sailor inspiring change - Daisy Collingridge talk on Women in Sailing

Daisy Collingridge from the British Sailing Team talks about Women in Sailing © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

Over 70 sailors from as far away as Bough Beech in Kent and Rutland SC descended on London Corinthian SC in West London to join Daisy Collingridge from the British Sailing Team to talk about Women in Sailing.

Daisy gave an inspiring talk about the challenges and triumphs of women in sailing including some eye-opening and downright cringeworthy anecdotes illustrating particular hurdles women still encounter in our sport. She shared her journey training with an all-female squad within the British Sailing Team and her experiences tackling cultural, mental and physical barriers in the sport.

Daisy's natural charisma put everyone at their ease to have a productive conversation about how we can create meaningful progress in supporting women in sailing. Soon everyone in the room felt comfortable confessing their own faux pas and we explored ideas including improving female facilities at sailing clubs, the need for kit designed specifically for women and ways in which we keep women in the wonderful sport of sailing. By the end of the evening there was a palpable feeling of commitment from everyone in the room.

ILCA UK's programme of events supporting women in sailing continues in January with Ellie Cumpsty explaining Racing Rules with NO Shouting in January at Corinthians, ILCA Women's Coaching Weekend at Queen Mary in March with Ellie and Georgina Povall and the ILCA Women's Regatta at Rutland Water in June where Daisy will be coaching alongside Ellie and George.

If our sport can deliver half of the change promised in the Corinthian's bar, 2025 will be a great year for women in sailing.