Slaydeez on the Solent - Marconi Sailing Club

At the start of September Marconi members Mia, Tiegan, Hannah, Niamh and Daisy took on the women’s leg of the 2023 British Keelboat League in Southampton. (Team M in the photo’s) Here’s their report: (Ed)

The Marconi Slaydeez

After our success at East Coast Piers the self named Slaydeez we’re super excited to take on the British Keelboat League.

Saturday morning was a slow start with racing postponed due to lack of wind but we made the most of the opportunity and enjoyed swimming off the hotel boat as we waited for our first race.

After our first couple of races we settled into our roles well and started moving up the fleet. On several occasions we decided to break away from the fleet, turning less than perfect starts into race wins. With a mixed day of racing we finished in 5th, excited for the BBQ, gin and for another day of racing.

In the evening Royal Southern put on a lovely social event and opportunity to meet other women in keelboat sailing. We enjoyed the Taylor Swift, ABBA and a boogie.

We saw all sorts of weather on Sunday, from no wind to lots, sun and rain, which made of interesting racing. We were less pleased when a change in tide and sudden drop in wind caused us to drift past the finish line, turning our 1st into a 6th in our final race. (We’ll get over it one day I’m sure.)

Winning the Committee Boat End

It was an honour for all of us to be part of this important event, championing women in sailing and highlighting how keelboats and these sorts of events can make sailing more accessible. If anyone would like to give keelboat sailing a go at the club just email marconi.keelboat.academy@gmail.com. Something we all value in keelboat sailing is the opportunity to learn from each other and spend the day out on the water with friends.

We’d like to thank Royal Southern for hosting, all the support from the club, especially Peter Ward and everyone who helps keep the keelboats sailing at Marconi. And a special mention to M&S for not putting holes in their bags for life and protecting Mia’s Dad’s car from several team members’ travel sickness.

Thanks for the report Mia (Ed). Sounds like you all had a great time and finishing in 5th place! Well done, you did Marconi proud.