2014 Melbourne to Vanuatu Race - Ocean Girls on the High Seas

Amongst the crews participating in the Vanuatu Race and Rally are several of our female ORCV members.

Kate Ribton-Turner will be sailing aboard RBYC Yacht Cartouche. 

Here is Kate's story of how she became involved in sailing and racing.

How did you first get involved in sailing?

I was at a friend’s place and my friend’s little brother was going for a day out on a yacht. I explained I had never been on a boat and scored an invite. The first time I went out it was sunny with light winds, we sailed to Port Melbourne for fish and chips and swam. I was pretty impressed and got involved in Wednesday evening twilight sailing. I just kept going until I started to understand what was going on and when someone didn’t turn up, I’d get a go at their job. Sailing didn’t come naturally to me but I loved being out of the water, sailed with great people and stuck to it.

Your sailing pathway - where you started and what you have done?

I started with twilight races and Brass Monkeys out of HBYC. There was also a season, while I was studying, that I was available for the 2pm races out of RMYS which gave me an opportunity to sail on another boat. In 2007 I did the ORCV race to Stanley on the The Bookmaker. It was a hard race and I was lucky enough to share that challenging experience with a great bunch of people that I sailed with for years. I remember thinking I would never ocean race again but was back out for the ORCV Hobart race that year. I have continued to race in the bay and ocean and have been lucky enough to incorporate sailing into some of my overseas travels, cruising and racing in the UK, Thailand and the Mediterranean.

Kate at the helm of The Bookmaker	The Vanuatu crew of Cartouche

Your sailing career highlights?

I did a delivery from Croatia to Greece with my partner which was a huge learning experience and awesome fun. I loved the PPWSC this year, we had such a fantastic bunch of women on board. Arriving in Hobart has always felt pretty great. The conversations, camaraderie and fun I have while racing are always a highlight.

Why do you sail?

I love the water. Sailing is all consuming and takes you away from everyday life stuff. I have met great people sailing and I think when you have raced with people and bonded in challenging situations, you end up with pretty solid friendships.

What are the highlights of sailing in the bay?

I love windward leeward racing, there is always something to do and it keeps you active. I love when the skipper plays Led Zeppelin and Geelong week is always great fun.

What are the highlights of sailing in the ocean?

I love the challenge of sailing in the ocean and thinking about keeping the boat going fast. It is pretty amazing when you look out and can’t see any land or other boats. It is a great feeling to ‘be out there’, it’s always an adventure. Having a celebratory drink after an ocean race would also have to be a highlight.

What are the not so good parts about sailing in the ocean?

It can be really tough at times. I think the wake up call to go up on deck in the middle of the night is always a low point, especially when you have barely slept and can hear nasty weather outside.

Who have your mentors been?
As I mentioned I have been very fortunate to sail with a great bunch of people. James Campbell Moore who I have sailed with since the beginning has a voice like your favourite primary school teacher and the patience of an angel. The first boat I sailed on was owned by Andrew Slagmolen, and I moved with him to The Bookmaker when he purchased the boat. Andrew has given me opportunities and support throughout my sailing journey, most recently giving us the boat for the PPWSC - another massive learning experience. Andrew has been a great friend and mentor.
I have also been encouraged to develop my sailing and go outside my comfort zone by the Women on Water program at HBYC. The training programs, enthusiasm, support and great women involved have been a huge part of me pushing myself as a sailor recently.
I have also been lucky enough to have got into sailing with my partner Thomas Evans who has encouraged and supported me from learning to sail to giving skippering a go. I can’t tell you how many sailing related diagrams we have drawn on napkins together.

What advice would you have for women wanting to get into sailing?
Find a boat you like, with great people to sail with, and stick to it. Try to be confident and don’t get down if you muck up - everybody does. Getting involved in a club is a great way to meet people and to find new opportunities.

A little more:
Thanks to Steven Fahey I have the opportunity to be involved in the race to Vanuatu this month on the good ship Cartouche. Steven and his family have put in a massive effort to make this race possible. Steven is a great skipper to sail with and being involved with preparation for a race like this has been another fantastic learning opportunity for me.

Cartouche crossing the finish line in the 2014 King Island Race

Now to do the race!