The milestone 80th edition of the race sees 13 women skippering or owning boats. Skippering offshore racing is leadership in its most exposed form, where preparation, endurance, safety, performance and mentality are tested for days on end.
From Jiang Lin skippering Min River and Frances Beaumont her Titoki double-handed, to three-time Jane Tate Trophy winner Annika Thomson returning with Ocean Crusaders J-Bird, and Felicity Nelson lining up for her 28th Rolex Sydney Hobart as owner of Supernova, bringing decades of experience, the fleet speaks to depth. Round-the-world sailor Sharon Ferris Choat takes the helm of Vixen Racing from New Zealand, while Janet Thornley and her near all-women crew aboard The XX Factor reinforce that high-performance teams are built on trust, standards, and skill.
Elizabeth Tucker leads Za Ocean Racing onboard First Light, a program dedicated to pushing boundaries through offshore sailing. She is preparing for the Global Solo Challenge 2027, a non-stop solo circumnavigation of the globe, while simultaneously building a platform for shared learning, growth, and ambition at sea.
Elizabeth is an aspiring solo offshore sailor who stepped away from a successful career as VP Finance in the renewable energy sector in 2023 to pursue ocean racing full-time. Although she began sailing just four years ago, her progression has been rapid. Within 18 months, she had competed in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, cementing her ambition to take on even greater offshore challenges.
Through Za Ocean Racing, Elizabeth has developed a women’s sailing program designed to share her Global Solo Challenge learning journey with others. The program offers real-world offshore training, racing opportunities, and mentorship, with a clear focus on building capability.
Across monohulls entries, from Natasha Hill co-skippering the Santa Cruz 72 Antipodes to Emily Sellen, Hilary Arthure, and Maud Demazure, the pattern is clear. Women are building programs, owning boats, calling tactics, and taking responsibility when it counts.
The countdown races the bar
Progress in sailing is often measured in boats, budgets, and results. This moment adds another marker. Visibility at the top level changes who feels entitled to prepare, invest, and commit long before race day, raising the bar for the next generation.
Starting on December 26th, the Rolex Sydney Hobart remains one of offshore racing’s hardest tests. Cold fronts, heavy seas, and tactical uncertainty do not care who is on the helm. The women leading this fleet know that.
Follow the race here: rolexsydneyhobart.com
