Winds of change in 2018 Sydney to Hobart with Stacey Jackson’s top women’s crew on Wild Oats X

WHEN Stacey Jackson returned from contesting her first Volvo round the world race in 2014/15 she was knocked back for a position on a boat heading south to Hobart because she was a woman. So she’s done something to ensure it never happens again.

• Women rule in Volvo ocean race
• Super-sized Sydney to Hobart fleet
• Sailors creating Sydney to Hobart history

WHEN Australian sailor Stacey Jackson returned from contesting her first Volvo round the world race in 2014/15 she was knocked back for a position on a boat heading south to Hobart because she was a woman.

After contesting her second Volvo race this year as one of three women on Vestas 11th Hour Racing, she was determined to ensure it never happened again.

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Now the 35-year-old is heading one of the most highly-credentialed crews in the Sydney to Hobart - a “dream team” of round the world racers, Sydney to Hobart veterans and America’s Cup racers whose goal is to win the most prized pieces of silverware in world ocean racing - the Tattersall Cup.

Ocean Respect Racing skipper Stacey Jackson with former foreign minister Julie Bishop and Wild Oat’s Sandy Oatley.

“We have a high level of experience. I’ve raced with or against all of them so I know I have assembled the best team possible. It just so happens they are all women,’’ said Jackson, loaned the 66-foot yacht Wild Oats X by the Oatley family, owners of the multiple line honours winner Wild Oats X1.

“We have 68 Sydney to Hobarts between us, 21 laps of the planet and 17 Volvo races.

“It’s a very good boat to chase the overall win in.’’

The crew boast eight Australians and five international big names including 22 Sydney to Hobart race veteran Vanessa Dudley, recently crowned World Sailor of the Year Carolijn Brouwer and American Olympian, round the world racer and former America’s Cup sailor Katie Pettibone.

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In June, Brouwer and French sailor Marie Riou became the first women to win the 45,000 nautical mile Volvo Ocean as part of the Dongfeng crew.

All aboard Wild Oats X work or race professionally in the sailing industry and will hit the water for their first training session on December 1 and their first race in the SOLAS Big Boat Challenge on December 11.

Stacey Jackson sailed aboard Vestas in the last Volvo Ocean race.

Outside of her goal to win, Jackson’s aim is to use the campaign to encourage and increase female representation in Australian sailing and to promote ocean health and sustainability

“Sailing is a bit behind other sports. Look at cricket, the AFL with their own successful leagues and then the world surfing league announcing equal prizemoney this year,’’ she said.

“It is time for things to start happening in sailing too.’’

Wild Oats X during the last Sydney to Hobart.

Jackson and her Ocean Respect Racing team will promote the UN Environment’s Clean Seas campaign with former Foreign Minister Julie Bishop team ambassador.

“This historic initiative will set the benchmarks for female participation in sailing in Australia

and Stacey’s team comprises some of the most capable sailors,’’ Bishop said.

“Importantly, I am looking forward to working closely with the team and the UN Environment’s Clean Seas campaign to promote the importance of ocean health and sustainability in Australia. I hope that their sporting endeavours will inspire women and girls around the world.’’

THE CREW

Stacey Jackson skipper, Carolijn Brouwer helm, Libby Greenhalgh navigator, Sue Crafer trimmer, Sophie Ciszek bow, Katie Spithill tactics, Vanessa Dudley trimmer, Bianca Cook trimmer, Jade Cole pit, Faraday Brooke Martin boat captain, Keryn McMaster main trimmer, Katie Pettibone trimmer, Dee Caffari reserve.