World Sailing celebrates International Women's Day by championing mentorship and allyship
by World Sailing 6 Mar 14:21 GMT
Molly Lapointe (Americano-Italian, 28 years old) © Alexander Champy-McLean
World Sailing is marking this year's International Women's Day by encouraging more people to be allies and mentors for women in sailing.
With 'Give to Gain' as the theme for 2026's International Women's Day on March 8, World Sailing is highlighting the stories of six volunteers from The Magenta Project who have offered their time to create more opportunities for women in the sport.
The six videos, releasing across World Sailing's social media platforms from 6th to 9th March, highlight how mentorship can create pathways for women in sailing - from offshore racing to race management to leadership roles across the marine industry.
The series showcases how mentors who invest their time and expertise help create opportunities for women in the sport, while strengthening the entire sailing community in the process.
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The video series features six individuals talking about the value of mentorship:
- Molly LaPointe - Italian-American sailor and Magenta Project mentee graduate who was part of the first all-female team to have raced around the world.
- Djemila Tassin - Belgian-Spanish offshore sailor, former mentee and first-time mentor, currently skipper of the Class 40 number 153, Magenta.
- Chantal Ferrero - Argentinian sailor, mentee graduate selected for the IMOCA Female Leadership Development Programme in 2025.
- Anderson Reggio - American meteorologist, navigation expert and consultant for high-performance sailing teams and regular mentor.
- Pinar Coskuner Genç - Turkish sailor and race official who was the first female Principal Race Officer at an Olympic Games, and last year became the first female president of the European Sailing Federation.
- Daniel Gaw - Canadian offshore sailor with the Austrian Ocean Racing team and a regular mentor in the programme.
Alexandra Rickham, World Sailing Director of Sustainability said, "Sailing thrives when we tap into the full potential of our global community. By highlighting those who give their time, we hope to inspire others to take up the mantle of allyship. It isn't just about supporting women; it's about strengthening the fabric of the sport we love."
Victoria Low, The Magenta Project CEO, added: "The commitment and generosity of our mentors make this programme transformational. They're not just offering advice - they're opening networks, creating opportunities, and helping build careers. The 92% positive career impact we see from mentees reflects the power of that investment. It's the embodiment of 'Give to Gain' - mentors give their time and expertise, and the entire sailing community gains stronger, more diverse talent."
Share your stories
World Sailing invites member national authorities, clubs, and sailors worldwide to join the conversation by sharing their own stories of mentorship and allyship using the hashtags #GivetoGain and #WomenInSailing.
For more information about The Magenta Project's mentorship programme, please visit the official website.