Issue date
By Kathy Catton
The upcoming 2025 Island Cruising Pacific Rally, due to depart New Zealand next month, marks a significant milestone for the 14 female skippers among its 125 registered vessels.
This is the most female skippers the Pacific Rally has seen in its 40-year history.
This upward trend has been building steadily, from two female skippers out of 42 boats in 2022, to six out of 93 in 2023, and six out of 160 in 2024.
The 2025 rally’s numbers represent not just a statistical jump, but a shift in inclusiveness of a previously male-dominated sport.
"Each individual skipper has her own unique story," Viki Moore, the director of Island Cruising New Zealand, explained.
"Often the women are the ones who’ve had the dream, they’ve got the boat, and their partner is along for the ride – just as you see in many male-skippered boats, with their partners as first-mates."
Moore, who took on the Island Cruising Rally business after obtaining her offshore yacht master qualification in 2021, has witnessed the evolution of attitudes first-hand.
"Initially, I did experience some resistance when I took on the business, particularly from old-school cruising men," she recalls. "But now, I really feel accepted by what was traditionally the ‘old boys’ club'. The success and growth of the rally have certainly silenced any critics."
The rally organises intensive education and specific initiatives to support all sailors, including women’s catch-ups pre-departure – particularly valuable for those new to the sailing community. This network proves especially important during challenging moments at sea.
"Last year, when one of our sailors was having a tough time after a difficult crossing in Tonga, we were able to connect her with other women on nearby boats," Moore said. "Sometimes you just need to talk with others who understand the experience."
Viki Moore, director of Island Cruising New Zealand, organiser of the 2025 Pacific Rally. Photos / Supplied
The rally also connects experienced sailors with newcomers, fostering a supportive environment that benefits all participants, regardless of gender.
Naval Point Club Lyttelton, where Moore first began sailing over four decades ago, has long been a supportive environment for women sailors.
"There have always been some really strong female skippers out of Lyttelton,” she said, citing Irene Hayward, a competitive racer, and Sue Stubenvoll, who extensively cruised the Pacific. "They were certainly trailblazers who helped pave the way for future women at the helm."
Moore’s approach to running the rally emphasises inclusivity for all participants. "I make sure to communicate with both partners in sailing couples, ensuring everyone has the information they need."
Looking ahead, Moore sees the increasing number of women skippers as a natural progression rather than an anomaly. Her focus remains on supporting all sailors in achieving their blue-water dreams while acknowledging that different skippers bring different strengths to their roles.
"What’s exciting is seeing how the community has evolved," Moore said. "It’s not about making a big deal of women skippers – it’s about creating an environment where everyone is taken seriously and supported in their sailing journey."
In their own words
Victoria Murdoch
Murdoch was first introduced to sailing at 3, but took a break when her father died until she was reintroduced in her early 20s.
She has owned multiple boats, from Smokey, a Young 88, to Ocean Alley a Dufour 485 GL cruiser.
Sailing and boats are clearly in her blood.
"I don’t think there is a difference between male and female skippers on the water," Murdoch said. "It's just our attitude can sometimes be different."
She notes that female skippers often excel through methodical preparation: "I'll plan the next step, they'll be reactionary to conditions."
While she’s encountered occasional scepticism - "I got told once we could die because it could be really rough and we wouldn’t be strong enough" - she’s seen the sailing community evolve.
Her advice for aspiring female skippers?
"Pick your boat wisely. Make sure it’s not more than you can handle and the systems aren’t going to be fully brutish."
She emphasises the importance of setting up your boat for easy handling: "For instance, if you add more purchases to your mainsheet it can make the loads easier to handle, however, there are many other examples and options."
Nancy Morrison
Another of this year’s Rally participants is American sailor Morrison, who runs her vessel independently of a life partner and instead works with rotating crew members.
After nearly five decades of sailing experience, 69-year-old Morrison has been living her dream since 2016, spending six to eight months annually aboard her 42-foot Catalina.
It was early experiences with sexism in the sailing industry that inspired her independent path: "I decided that I would just buy my own boat eventually and sail off on my own terms."
While Morrison acknowledges certain challenges, particularly in a few boatyards where staff can be dismissive, and treat her differently than male crew, she says that cruising brings universal rewards regardless of gender.
"Cruising on a sailboat is a wonderful experience, and you have wonderful interactions," she said.
Her key advice for aspiring female skippers centres on boat selection and crewing decisions? "Have a boat you’re comfortable with, and decide how you want to sail."
After experiencing crew challenges, Morrison has developed a formula of sailing exclusively with friends and family, ensuring both competence and respect.
Above all, Morrison encourages all women with sailing aspirations: "Make sure you’ve got the skills and then go and do it."
Helen Shrewsbury
From a young age, sailing was "like a religion" for Shrewsbury, who started sailing at 3. After years of dinghy and keelboat racing, she purchased Cerulean, a 43-foot custom-built Sea Stream, and embarked on blue-water adventures with her husband, whom she introduced to sailing.
Shrewsbury notes that female skippers often bring unique strengths to leadership, particularly in their inclusive approach to decision-making. "Women skippers are a lot more inclusive when they make decisions," she says. "They tend to explain the reason why they’re asking you to do something."
This teaching style helps build crew confidence and capability over time - but persistent challenges remain.
"It seems women have to not only do things as well as men, they have to do it better. It can feel degrading," Shrewsbury said.
Yet she sees positive change happening - like Martine Grael, a former 49erFX world champion, double Olympic gold medallist, and round-the-world sailor, who recently became the first female driver in SailGP history.
"To see a helmswoman on Brazil’s SailGP boat is another step in the right direction."
Her advice for aspiring female skippers is emphatic: "If they have a dream of doing it, do it. My mantra is that I want to die with memories, not dreams."
