Sideline Stories: Sea Bags Women’s Sailing Team
The Sea Bags Women’s Sailing Team formed after Skipper Erica Beck Spencer competed at the 2014 J24 World Championship in Newport as part of another team. Out of the 72 teams, there were only two female skippers and even fewer all-women’s teams. Erica left the awards ceremony determined to change this and to one day win the all-women’s team trophy. She shared her desire to start an all-women’s team on Facebook and Jess Harris immediately responded, already having plans to buy a boat and encourage more women to race.
After setting the goal to qualify for and compete at the 2017 J24 Worlds in Ontario, Canada, we gave ourselves less than three years to buy a boat, form a new team, and build a racing resume worthy of qualifying for the 2017 World Championship.
Not only did we qualify for the 2017 World Championship event, we won the Jaeger Trophy as the Top All-Female Team and Erica won the coveted Top Female Skipper Trophy (which can be won by co-ed teams). Since then, we have hoisted sails in Canada, Mexico and along the eastern shores of the United States, adding more treasured trophies to the team’s walls.
Just as treasured as the trophies are the experiences we’ve had, and the knowledge we’ve gained. We have been inspired by women who have come before us in the sport of sailing and value their shared knowledge. We love being a part of one of the only sports where men and women compete against each other, side by side, at the highest level. We aim to serve as role models for the next generation of sailors, giving them an opportunity to not only see an all-women’s team compete but also to outperform both co-ed and all-male teams on the water.
We’re also passionate about protecting our environment. Our team is among a growing number of sailors worldwide who are bringing greater attention to the importance of protecting our oceans. Part of our mission is to collect old sails and bring them home to Sea Bags in Maine for upcycling. Wherever we race, we raise awareness of Sea Bags’ Sail Trade Program, where individuals can donate their sails in exchange for Sea Bags’ product. Sails become worn with use and eventually are no longer viable on the water. By offering an option to recycle old sails, Sea Bags keeps thousands of sails out of landfills every year, helping to preserve the waters that we love to sail.
We are proud of the team we have become, a group of strong, determined, experienced, passionate, racing champions who are taking the thrills and incredible challenges of J24 sailboat racing to new heights. Every new racing season is a challenge to be better – to be the best team we can be.
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Image courtesy of Christopher Howell
Follow the team on their Facebook page: @seabagssailingteam
Instagram: @seabagssailingteam
Website: https://seabags.com/our-company/sailingteam.html
www.seabagssailingteam.com