“Everyone does things wrong in a race but it’s important not to dwell on it – to stay in what you’re doing now. Keep focused on what’s happening now. It’s really easy to get distracted by things that don’t actually matter. The main thing’s having fun, really. If you have fun sailing, you’re a winner. I really hate yelling even though I started as a complete martinet as a kid. Now I don’t want to yell. Crew harmony is really important. Keeping your head out of the boat. Having a plan. I love the cut and thrust of racing, but as I’ve got older I think more and more about sportsmanship – and how important it is. It’s just more important to be a nice person on the course, and not such a bugger!”
– Vanessa Dudley – Offshore veteran and Laser Radial Grand Master World Champion.
(Vanessa Dudley’s contribution to the advancement of women in the sport is immense. She has crewed in 24 Sydney-Hobarts, including a 2nd and 3rd place overall. As a dinghy sailor she was World Junior Moth Champion in 1975 and in the Laser class Dudley won the Radial Grand Master world championship in 2013 and 2016.)
