Helena Schneider is an experienced solo offshore skipper and sailing instructor, and shares her experience of sailing with mixed crews.

I support women in sailing, but…..

Waves are washing over the deck as we are beating to windward; I keep an eye out for boats to leeward who might interfere with our course and I’m
ready to tack and trim the jib.

In these breezy conditions the maneuvers and trimming make for a proper workout and I love every bit of it! It was a superb sailing day, but what eventually started to bother me were the repeated questions of my teammates.

I was asked several times if I was ‘still alright’ or if I ‘needed a hand’ with the trim, the maneuvers or grinding during spinnaker sailing.

I support women in sailing, but…..

Waves are washing over the deck as we are beating to windward; I keep an eye out for boats to leeward who might interfere with our course and I’m
ready to tack and trim the jib.

I was asked several times if I was ‘still alright’ or if I ‘needed a hand’ with the trim, the maneuvers or grinding during spinnaker sailing. – Full report