Meet the all-female crew competing on First Light

Taylor begins to tell a story about the shortening of sails on larger yachts. He explains that when you correct, you also give instructions, such as “advice” or “hold.” In this particular story, it didn’t matter how loudly he said the word; Another sailor at the back of the boat would shout the same thing over him.

“I literally said that, you’re talking over me. Like, give me a second to say it myself — and I see it happen every time,” he says.

Crew member Katie O’Mara adds: “Someone physically came up behind me and took something from my hands.”

On other boats, women may be limited to certain roles, such as trimming the sail. Tucker says women are often chosen to be “wing defences”, to use the netball term. He is important but never a playmaker.

“I think we have a few more centers in this boat,” he says. “Every woman on the crew is a critical member.”

Even learning about motors, batteries and solar panels is new for Maddie Lyons. “Most of us grew up where boys were shown how mechanical things worked and girls were shown how a stove worked,” says Tucker.

On this boat, the crew is encouraged to talk, ask questions, and try different ways of doing things.

“I like the idea that you’re not put into a mold or a role,” says Malin Ludwig, 32.

The crew is also quick to pay tribute to the men who supported them. Their fathers, brothers, partners, friends, former crewmates, and financial and equipment sponsors without whom they could not sail.

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“Given that it is a male-dominated sport, I would say most of what we know actually comes from a lot of good guys,” Stevenson says. “They are the ones who teach us.”

You’d think these women had shared these stories with each other before, but they actually say this is the first time.

That’s what women do all the time. They collect experiences and wait until the right time to share them. They wait until they reach the end of the marina, get off the train, exit the meeting room, or exit the elevator.

They notice men when they are alone, as well as when a special space is created for them.

Tucker created this space on this yacht in the ocean, and he did it for women who thought they could never have it.

“I think this is very different from the boats I’ve been on,” O’Mara says. “I think everyone thinks they can have a voice.”