The Magenta Project, established by the sailors of the successful campaign of Team SCA in the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-2015 is a collective of passionate people committed to developing pathways and generating opportunities for more equity and inclusion in sailing. When I found out about the project I knew that having a mentor to guide me would help me better understand how I might achieve my goals and wanted to apply, but didn’t know if they were looking for more established sailors.
I had just left college and was working for Oyster Yachts with their commissioning team and on the launch of the 495. I was greatful to have been given the opportunity in the sailing industry and to be a part of such an inclusive and happy team. However, I wanted to push myself further. I love sailing and racing and my goal was to become part of an offshore racing team. I didn’t really know the pathways towards achieving this goal, and the few options I had my eye on felt like a long shot. I was also worried about leaving the security of my current job. I knew that I needed guidance, so I contacted The Magenta Project thinking that they would say is was too early in my career to apply. However the team at Magenta were very positive and suggested that I submit an application. Even so I was surprised and thrilled to be selected as a mentee.
When I found out that Nikki Henderson was my mentor I was delighted. I had been strongly considering applying to be an AQP for the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2023-24 so I knew Nikki (the youngest Clipper Race skipper) would be able to give me specific advice. It was invaluable to have someone with experience and knowledge of offshore sailing who I could identify with and who understood my ambitions. Being able to talk things through and discuss various options was priceless. Nikki’s mentorship increased my resolve to apply to be an AQP with Clipper. She recognised that I would benefit from leaving my current job to enable me to take up more diverse sailing opportunities but could also understand my reticence of leaving the security of this position. Nikki guided me through the AQP application process as well as providing me with opportunities such as being an apprentice on a Transatlantic with 59° North.
Following my AQP application I was selected for interview and a 4 day trial. I was on tender hooks following the trial, my debrief had been really positive and I was really hopeful that I would be selected. A week later, I found out that I hadn’t been selected for the job. This was disappointing but not disheartening. I carried on striving to become a better sailor and gain more experience. I arranged a debrief with the Clipper team who were very supportive, helped me better understand my strengths and areas for development and offered me work with the company including a position as first mate on the SKIRR expedition (to Scotland, Iceland and Greenland). Before starting there was time for me to complete courses such as Yachtmaster Ocean theory as well as doing lots of deliveries on a range of boats, and my first Transatlantic crossing.
Upon arrival in Antigua, post Transat, I received a phone call asking if I was still interested in becoming an AQP. Someone had dropped out and they were offering me the position. I was thrilled to accept the job. I flew back to the UK the next day, started work for Clipper the day after and was at crew allocation for the 2023-24 race 3 days later. It has been a whirlwind that I’ve been happy to get caught in, I have already forged friendships that I know will last a lifetime and developed as a sailor, leader and person; and the race hasn’t even started yet.
The Magenta Project and Nikki helped me to navigate the risk of financial uncertainty, seek further varied experience in sailing industry, develop networks, have the confidence to apply to Clipper and develop as a sailor. I have really valued Nikki’s mentorship and hope that I will be able to mentor others in the future. I am still at the beginning of my career, Clipper Race 2023-2024 leaves Portsmouth on the 3rd September and will return 11- months later. I can’t think beyond that right now, I am living in this moment and enjoying every minute of it (nearly….maybe not the moment on level 4 training in 40Knts of wind, when dropping down into the galley I found the sink, pans and stove covered in vomit). I am not sure what my next steps will be; I’d love to skipper a race around the world and become part of a professional racing team.
