💙 Women & Sailing: Initiatives Making Waves

The sea has no gender. Yet, for a long time, sailboat decks remained predominantly male. Fortunately, a new generation of female sailors – supported by ambitious and unifying projects – is taking the helm to change things. Offshore racing, dinghy sailing, training, or mentorship: many initiatives today contribute to giving visibility to women at sea, and creating pathways for their talent to fully express itself.

At SAILIZ, we want to celebrate these movements that are advancing diversity in the world of sailing.

🌊 WLS (Women Leading & Sailing): A Network for All Women

Optimizing and developing access to sailing for all female audiences, from the youngest age, whether for leisure, competition, or even high-level practice, is one of the objectives of the women’s commission of the French Sailing Federation. Thus, the idea for the Women Leading and Sailing concept was born, a simple concept represented by the three letters W L S with its emblematic flag!

This WLS concept aims to bring together all women’s projects, regardless of their origins (local, national) or their level (events, competition, coaching, training, refereeing, high-level, etc.), in order to have a flag of recognition under which all actions can be grouped, identified beyond borders.

These actions are diverse and target different audiences, but all meet the dual objective of the FFVoile’s feminization plan: Develop women’s sailing practice and involve more women in the governance and organization of practices.

🌀 Les Déferlantes Sailing Team: Breaking the Mold on the Water

Launched in 2023, Les Déferlantes Sailing Team is an all-female offshore racing team committed to promoting the place of women in sailing. Their motto: performance, knowledge transfer, and solidarity. With an ambitious project on the Mini 6.50 and Class40 circuits and beyond, they prove that women have their rightful place on the most prestigious courses. Beyond competition, their adventure is a true showcase to inspire younger generations to believe in their potential.

💫 The Magenta Project: The International Benchmark

Born in the wake of the historic participation of the all-female Team SCA crew in the Volvo Ocean Race, The Magenta Project works to create more opportunities for women in professional sailing. Their mentorship programs, training, and global advocacy make them a major agent of change.

Their motto? If you can’t see it, you can’t be it. So they act to ensure more women are seen on board… and on the podiums.

🚀 Mer Connexion & Young Women Connexion: Train, Empower, Mentor

Mer Connexion, the Mediterranean team based in Marseille, is launching the Young Women Connexion program for the 2025 season. This unique project aims to hand over the helm of a Class40 to a woman under 30, with the goal of promoting diversity and encouraging female talent in the world of offshore racing.

🌬️ UpWind by Mer Concept: Diversity Through Action

Another flagship initiative from Mer Concept, UpWind aims to promote greater diversity in high-level sailing’s technical and sports teams. Whether on the pontoons, in design offices, or in the cockpits, UpWind takes concrete action to evolve practices. A structuring initiative, which reminds us that diversity is also a matter of organization, will, and resources.

Today, thanks to Mer Concept’s initiative, an all-female crew sails on the Ocean Fifty circuit, and 2 women will cross the Atlantic with the trimaran during the Transat Café L’or in 2025 and then on the Route du Rhum in 2026.

🌟 And tomorrow?

The momentum has begun. The talent is there. Initiatives are multiplying. But for equality to become a reality, we must continue to give visibility to these projects, support female sailors, and believe in diverse role models. Whether in Mini, Imoca, 420, or on more accessible boats, every woman who comes aboard counts.

And at SAILIZ, we will continue to highlight these journeys, give a voice to offshore adventurers, and show that sailing – like the wind – belongs to everyone.

💬 Do you have a story to tell? A project to highlight? Write to us