SailGP: Olympian Nina Curtis debunks old sailing superstition about women

In the superstitious world of sailing, women - and clergy and bananas - were once considered unlucky. Not any more - especially on the Aussie SailGP foiling catamaran.

London Olympic sailor Nina Curtis has survived the “craziest conditions I have ever experienced” to be part of the Australian team which came form behind to win the Spanish leg of the latest SailGP series event.

With each of the eight F50 catamaran boasting women in their crew at the same time for the first time, it was northern beaches sailor Curtis who has won the right to stand on the victory dais at the end of the historic regatta.

The ridiculous old superstions which dictated women were unlucky on boats has well and truly been put to bed with spectators treated to one of the most drama-packed and exciting rounds of the series.

Untimely but spectacular capsizes by their Spanish and British rivals in strong winds, paved the way for the Tom Slingsby lead Australian’s team’s third win of the series.

Nina Curtis sailing aboard the Australian SailGP entry.

“Those were by far the craziest conditions I’ve ever experienced. Not scary, we’ve been so well trained in terms of safety, but you are very aware that things can go wrong out there in those conditions,’’ Curtis said.

“I was trying to help as much as possible by feeding in information but I was also aware not to cause a sensory overload.

“It was a real honour and pretty special to be on-board and racing with the team and getting a win. I am so stoked for not only myself but also all the other female athletes that were racing on-board this weekend. It is a pretty historic moment.”

NORTHERN BEACHES SAILOR NINA CURTIS CREATES HISTORY

Sydney personal trainer Nina Curtis has become one of the first woman in the world to race aboard a flying 50 foot foiling catamaran - and taste success.

Curtis joined the Australian team - which includes Central Coast skipper Tom Slingsby, northern beaches Olympian Jason Waterhouse, Lake Macquarie’s Kyle Langford and Hunter’s Hill’s Sam Newman - for her first race on the pro circuit on Sunday.

Curtis was aboard as eight women joined the teams at the Cadiz, Spain, leg of the sailing series.

Nina Curtis sailing aboard the Australian SailGP entry.

It was the first time the women have all raced at the one time with crews extended to six strong accommodate the first females to race aboard the spectacular catamarans.

Curtis, who won a silver medal at the London Olympics in match racing, also competed in the Volvo round the world race when organisers adopted rules to press for the inclusion of more women.

“It’s pretty incredible and what a team to be able to debut with,’’ said Curtis, who lives at Narrabeen and worked tactics and on grinding.

“I’m so honoured to be on board and racing with these guys. It was a big learning curve and I managed to tick off a few weaknesses I had in the day before.

“Every minute I’m on these boats I’m learning something new, which is awesome.”

Nina Curtis during the round the-world yacht race.

The Australians posted a second fourth and second on the opening day of the SailGP event in Spain to take the overall lead from Team USA, which is skippered by northern beaches racer James Spithill.

At the end of the season, crews will vie for a winner-take-all prize of $A1.4 million which the Australians won in season one.

The other women racing in Spain were UK star Hannah Mills, Katja Salskov-Iversen of Denmark, Amelie Riou of France, Sena Takano of Japan, Erica Dawson of New Zealand, CJ Perez from the US and Andrea Emone of Spain.

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Originally published as SailGP: Olympian Nina Curtis debunks old sailing superstition about women