On March 8th, 2025, The Royal Southern Yacht Club, based in the Hamble, will be hosting a special event, Celebrating Women Sailors, in honour of International Women’s Day, and to raise money for local charities. The event, open to members only, will feature discussions with exceptional women sailors, who represent between them four decades of women in sailing. The discussion will be hosted by Annie O’Sullivan an experienced ocean racer and founder of Girls for Sail. The panel will include –
- Miranda Merron – Miranda was skipper of Campagne de France for the 2020-2021 Vendée Globe Race (non-stop solo around the world). She’s also had class wins in the Transat Québec Saint- Malo race, Transat Jacques Vabre, RORC Transatlantic Race, Rolex Fastnet Race.
- Hannah Diamond – Hannah was runner-up in the Inaugural Women’s America’s Cup representing Great Britain last summer in Barcelona and currently a SailGP competitor. She sailed for Vestas 11th Hour Racing in the Volvo Ocean Race 2017/2018 and was a part of the Nacra 17 Olympic Sailing Campaign 2016.
- Emma Westmacott – Emma competed in the Whitbread Around the World Race 1998 (EF Education), Volvo Ocean Race 2001 (Amer Sport), Jules Verne non-stop record 1998 (Royal & SunAlliance). She has spent the last 20 years racing as the only girl on Magic Carpet, in the maxi fleet and holds 7 Rolex Maxi World Championship titles amongst other victories.
- Lucy Davis – Lucy is 3rd U21 female at the nationals from 2023-2024. She completed two transatlantic crossings before she was 21 and was in the GBR Radial Youth Squad 2020. Lucy has secured a spot on a very fast boat for this years Fastnet Race and is aiming to become a Professional Sailor.
Matthew Richardson, Commodore of The Royal Southern Sailing Club, commented, “We are proud to host this special event. It gives us the perfect opportunity to applaud the achievements of Women in Sailing and to inspire young sailors everywhere.”