2013 Latitude leads Deb to Sailing the World………………….
Congratulations to Deb Allen first time ocean skipper of Escapade in this year’s 2013 ORCV Latitude Series who took out the Geoff “Megga” Bascombe Novice Skipper Award. The award was established by the ORCV in 2009 in memory of a larger than life yachting legend, delivery skipper and ocean racer, to recognise the first novice skipper home in the annual Latitude Ocean Race. Here is Deb’s story about coming back and triumphing as a new ocean racing skipper after an unfortunate experience early in her sailing career.
Deb Allen in fell in love with sailing when she bare boat chartered with friends and family around the islands of Croatia in 2007. Returning home, enthused by her new passion for sailing, she was keen to learn more and signed on for her first race. Unfortunately, this experience turned out to be a “passion killer” with the (male) boat owner stating -”the only place for women in blue water sailing was either in the cabin or the galley”!
Deb replied “Well, if this was the attitude of men in sailing towards women sailors then it wasn’t the sport for me, so I left the sport.”
It was not until four years later that a chance social meeting with international racing yachtsman Russell Tyson, changed her mind. “He convinced me that while such attitudes towards women sailors do exist, it is only a minority, and that I should give it another go”. So she headed to Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron (RMYS) and was welcomed to the crew on Bavaria 38 Match Mrs Overnewton - a very different experience to her first foray into yacht racing and one she has continued to enjoy.
Fellow crew member and organiser of the RMYS Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta (AWKR), Jodie Lukerman then invited her aboard to crew on Bushido in the 2012 AWKR event. This was her first experience of being part of a women’s racing event and she was blown away by the support and camaraderie amongst and between all the female crews.
“Talent spotter” Louise Cotter from RBYC, then recruited her to join the “Nautigirls” crew aboard Unami and from there they competed in Sandringham Yacht Club’s (SYC) Women in Sailing Challenge (WISC), Royal Brighton’s (RBYC) Brighton Lady Skippers Series (BLiSS) and the inaugural YV Port Phillip Women’s Championship Series (PPWCS) as well as participating in the associated lectures and on water training provided in preparation for racing in these events. Deb’s advice to women -“I would recommend all these great programs to female sailors. Over the past two years, I have also enjoyed learning more about sailing in general and pursued RYA/YA courses to gain certification in Competent Crew, Sea Safety and Survival (SSSC), Radio Operator (MRCOP), Day Skipper Theory, Navigation and Day Skipper practical courses”.
With three other members of the “Nautigirls” Louise Cotter, Sue Horwood and Pascale Whyte, there had to be a “next challenge”. This year, with her International Certificate of Competency (ICC) certification under her belt, the Nautigirls all headed off for a two week cruise around the Ionian Islands. And the outcome of their adventure – “I’m not sure Greece was ready for the seven Aussie women all on one boat! It was a great trip.”
Back from her overseas adventure, next step was her first race as skipper, when owner of “Mrs Overnewton” Les Norton, generously offered her the helm for the inaugural ORCV Women Skippers & Navigators Race in September 2013.
Next challenge on the list - ocean racing! Her first exposure to ocean racing had been the ORCV 2012 Latitude Race as crew aboard Escapade, followed by Melbourne to Hobart West Coaster (M2HW) and this season's Melbourne to Portland (M2P) race.
For the 2013 Latitude Series, Robert Bradley, owner skipper of Escapade generously offered to step off his boat for Deb to take on the skipper’s role. This was indeed a great honour, as Robert had been the first graduate from the Latitude Series to go on to win a Melbourne to Osaka (M2O), taking out AMS Division in the recent 2013 event. He pays tribute to the Latitude series as having been instrumental in setting him on his successful pathway in ocean racing. Robert was also keen to support the Women On Water (WOW) program at Hobson’s Bay Yacht Club (HBYC) so three more women were recruited - Nadine Huels as novice navigator, Norma Malouf for her second ocean race and Kate Wylie for her first entry to Bass Strait.
Deb recounts - “This was my second race as skipper and first opportunity as Skipper in an ocean race taking a boat out through the heads. It was nerve wracking but I knew I had a very experienced ocean racing mentor, Joey Gough, and two other experienced ocean racing crew, Murray Erwin and Brian Abbott on board. The Latitude Series seminars leading up to the races were great and reassured me that the boat and crew preparation and training we had done were on track. The weather was perfect for us first-timers. The camaraderie amongst all the other crews back at Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron (BYS) at the end of the Latitude Ocean race was fantastic. Winning the Novice Skipper award was the icing on the cake!”
What kept Deb coming back for more challenges?
“Whatever the reason you are out there, when you are on the water you have to be “in the moment”, concentrating on what is happening, what you need to be doing and what’s coming next. It’s a great way to unwind. There is no other feeling like it. When I step on to a boat, l leave whatever else is happening on shore. It's also a very social sport and fun getting to know other crew members, people in your club and other clubs. I look back now on Russell Tyson’s advice and he was right, most of the men and women I have met through sailing have been encouraging and supportive in many ways, from explaining how to tack to lending me ocean racing gear and now even their yachts! I am so glad I came back to the sport.”
What is her next challenge?
“Having now done a mixture of bay racing, deliveries to Sydney and Hamilton Island, local cruising, some ocean racing and two overseas charters, I plan to use my long service leave next June to sail in the Melbourne to Vanuatu race with Escapade, then head off to the Caribbean and the Mediterannean and sail for ten months.
“Being skipper for the Latitude Race has taken me one step closer to my dream!”
The spirit of Megga Bascombe lives on in the Latitude Race. Will you be the next new skipper to dip your toes in Bass Strait and take your dreams to the oceans of the world?
The ORCV are planning for a bigger better Latitude Series for next season. Watch this space!
Rosie Colahan
