THE LARGEST SAILING RACE IN THE WORLD
Trieste, 1 - 12 October 2025
Trieste, 1 - 12 October 2025
Barcolana - News20.10.22
#WomenInSailing - Sally Barkow
After giving birth just a few months ago, Sally Barkow flew from the United States to take part in the Barcolana. She didn’t sail across any ocean this time, she simply took the plane with her new-born daughter, with her grandmother looking after her when Sally Barkow boarded Kind of Magic as its helmswoman.
“Do I miss the ocean? Each moment in life has its own features and priorities, I have sailed a lot, now it’s time for new experiences, and motherhood is a wonderful one. The world of sailing, from the Olympics to the Oceans, is part of my life and I believe it always will be.
Skippering a boat feels natural to me, which is beautiful. It is my job, which is changing shape today, since I’m currently the trainer of the U.S. Olympic Team”.
As her maternity period draws to a close, Sally looks to the future: “I will dedicate the next stage of my life to training other athletes, which is very rewarding to me: it means shaping and sharing an ambitious goal with a team training to achieve it, it means being part of something greater, of an undertaking.”
When asked about women in sailing, Sally has high hopes: “We’re only at the beginning. I have had a career in sailing as many other women have, but it is only a small percentage compared to those who didn’t get the same opportunity. We keep saying that we need time, but this is starting to sound more and more like an excuse not to act. The America’s Cup now has new rules, which will help in this respect: basically, what must change is the mindset of those who organise and manage teams; they are so used to choosing men that choosing a woman is still an exception, although there are skilled female sailors ready to come aboard. The America’s Cup will help change this mindset and draw attention to the issue, since a female team will be needed to compete with the 40-foot boat.” This is not enough, though, and it doesn’t end here: “It will also take time for women to realise that there really are no barriers ahead, and if there are, they can be overcome. I and many other women have managed to do so, but we must push forward and go beyond.”
“Do I miss the ocean? Each moment in life has its own features and priorities, I have sailed a lot, now it’s time for new experiences, and motherhood is a wonderful one. The world of sailing, from the Olympics to the Oceans, is part of my life and I believe it always will be.
Skippering a boat feels natural to me, which is beautiful. It is my job, which is changing shape today, since I’m currently the trainer of the U.S. Olympic Team”.
As her maternity period draws to a close, Sally looks to the future: “I will dedicate the next stage of my life to training other athletes, which is very rewarding to me: it means shaping and sharing an ambitious goal with a team training to achieve it, it means being part of something greater, of an undertaking.”
When asked about women in sailing, Sally has high hopes: “We’re only at the beginning. I have had a career in sailing as many other women have, but it is only a small percentage compared to those who didn’t get the same opportunity. We keep saying that we need time, but this is starting to sound more and more like an excuse not to act. The America’s Cup now has new rules, which will help in this respect: basically, what must change is the mindset of those who organise and manage teams; they are so used to choosing men that choosing a woman is still an exception, although there are skilled female sailors ready to come aboard. The America’s Cup will help change this mindset and draw attention to the issue, since a female team will be needed to compete with the 40-foot boat.” This is not enough, though, and it doesn’t end here: “It will also take time for women to realise that there really are no barriers ahead, and if there are, they can be overcome. I and many other women have managed to do so, but we must push forward and go beyond.”
