Challenges in creating opportunities

American Helena Scutt has gone from 2016 Olympian to professional engineer for American Magic at the 2024 America’s Cup. In this excerpt of an interview, she discusses the challenges in creating opportunities for women in sailing:

A lot of opportunities in sailing come from casual conversations or friendships, which men often have more access to because of the demographics. For example, I’ve noticed that young boys usually get chances to try fast boats through their peer networks. If they make a mistake, it’s seen as them “sending it” or pushing limits. The same mistake might be interpreted as carelessness or lack of skill for girls.

We are (women) often socialized to prioritize being cautious and striving for perfection rather than embracing bravery and experimentation. This dynamic isn’t unique to sailing—it reflects broader societal norms. In sailing, boys often benefit from more informal learning opportunities, like experimenting with fast boats or receiving casual advice from peers. These experiences accelerate skill development and confidence. I’m deeply passionate about changing this dynamic and creating similar opportunities for girls.