Why the return of the ORCV Women's Helm Race changes everything

Rachel Mcguigan © Rachel Mcguigan

Some people drift into sailing. Rachel Mcguigan charged in—eyes up, hands on, no time to waste.

When she first spoke to Leo Cantwell, skipper of Aileron, he asked her straight: "What do you want to learn?" Her answer was clear and fearless: "I want to do a helming course. I want to learn bow. I want it all. I'm not mucking about." And she wasn't. Leo took her seriously—and from that moment, things started moving.

She's now helming Duxelle, (X 362 sport) which is co-owned by Catherine North, in the upcoming ORCV Women's Helm, Navigator & Radio Operator Race (WHNR), and it's not luck that got her there. It's work.

"You don't get much time on the helm unless you own the boat..."

That's the challenge when you're starting out. You can be determined, capable, full of potential—but unless someone gives you a shot at the wheel, you're stuck trimming, grinding, or watching. Rachel's lucky to have had skippers who invested in her, gave her time, and trusted her to take the lead.

She got her early miles and hands-on experience crewing on Magic Bullet and Aileron—learning the boat inside and out, doing deliveries, soaking it all up. But helming? That came slowly, outside of race mode, often on long, cold passages or casual sails. It was valuable, yes—but limited.

So, she doubled down. Dinghy courses. Helm time anywhere she could get it. She trained her eye to look outside the boat—to read wind, lay lines, VMG and ladder runs. She started taking notes, replaying races in her head, and thinking deeply about her next step.

She's learning the helm, one honest mile at a time

When Rachel races, she makes one thing clear to her crew: "Here's what I'm good at. Here's where I need to grow." That honesty, she says, is non-negotiable. "It's dangerous to overstate your skills. You have to be upfront and open to learning—otherwise no one can help you."

What's next? She's training for the Melbourne to Hobart this year. She's already done a stack of double-handed races with Leo on Aileron, soaking up every moment. Her dream is the big one: Melbourne to Osaka, double-handed. She's studying Pip Hare's videos, reading every tip she can find, and pushing herself to get comfortable in every role onboard.

"I live sailing," she says. "It's in everything. You have to drive yourself—be patient, speak up, and stay curious. When people see that, they'll start trusting you. That's when it clicks."

Why the WHNR Race Matters

Some people ask, "Why do we need a women's race?" Rachel answers without blinking: "Because we need to prompt opportunity. We need to create space for people to grow and that's exactly what both Catherine and Leo have provided me... I'll be eternally grateful..."

She's right. The ORCV Women's Helm, Navigator & Radio Operator Race, now back in 2025 as a standalone passage race, is more than just a race. It's a chance for women to step into leadership roles—at the helm, on the bow, on the radio, in the nav seat—and show what they're made of.

Because the future of sailing depends on fresh hands and hungry hearts. And Rachel? She's leading from the front.

Ready to Race? Saturday 26th July is just around the corner.

If you're a boat owner or skipper, the WHNR needs you. Match your boat with a crew through the ORCV's Expression of Interest form, or for more information on how to enter go to the ORCV race page.

If you're a female sailor looking to jump onboard—helm, nav, radio, or crew—this is your moment. You can also complete the ORCV's Expression of Interest form and take part. The team will match you to a boat accordingly.

Let's get more women on the water, more often.