Remember the time

Sun sparkled on the water and onlookers lined the foreshores of Sydney Harbour. It was only the second year the event had been run and Dagmar O’Brien on board . However (and seven other yachts) didn’t make the distance, so Jane was the first woman to cross the finish line – and to complete the race as skipper. She’d set sail with her husband, Horrie, at the helm but when he became ill, Jane stepped up. Jane set an inspiring example, but it wasn’t until 1975 (International Women’s Year) that the first all-female crew tackled the Sydney to Hobart in their boat, . And it wasn’t until 2018 that Stacey Jackson skippered the first fully professional all women’s crew. Their yacht, , took sixth place and Stacey was awarded the Jane Tate Memorial Trophy which, since 1994, has been presented to the first female skipper across the line. “We’re an all-female team, however that was more by accident than design,” Stacey said. “We set out to assemble a team of sailors who were all at the top end of the sport and they happened to all be female. It’s a bonus that we’re getting to be role models for the next generation.” In 2011 Jessica Watson picked up the Jane Tate trophy and skippered the youngest crew ever to cross the line. More than 1000 women have now taken part in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.