Written by Clara Pasieka
It was less than a decade ago, after a night of racing with my dad that I looked around the after-race tent and realized a racer named Laurie and I were the only women who had been out that night. While I am forever grateful to my dad and my almost uncles for getting me into sailboat racing, it is such a glorious sight to see how much that picture has now changed looking around the tent after a more recent race.
That race may have begun with an idea I had, but this now annual event has many champions, male and female, that have made it a success.
The Clara Cup provides an opportunity for women to take charge on the race course. The race, which is open to all women–those who regularly race and those who are racing for the first time– is intentionally structured to be a welcoming and inclusive place for those thinking of dipping their toes in or those who want to explore new roles on a boat. Over the years, I’ve casually told many women to try racing, but some said they wouldn’t know what to do, or they’d slow down a team. Now, more and more, women I approach are saying, “I already have my team.”
This race, I hope, provides a reminder that everyone starts somewhere….and a reminder to others that they are already amazing racers.
The race has already grown from last year. This year, we had six boats out, compared to an impressive five last year. We also see more and more women kicking butt every week in the regular season.
Clara’s Team Watermark (photo: Bob Prosper}
The 2025 race was a beautiful official end to summer, with plenty of wind. The east winds made it a little lumpy and it was a challenging return for some boats who needed to tack more than they’d like to make it home, but as Race Committe Captain, Richard Coutts, recently so aptly reminded some racers, even if you are miles behind, winters are very long and summers are very short, so enjoy being out on the water while you can.
Break Free remains the defending champion!
I hope even more women will know the joy of racing next year, something we can achieve together by encouraging someone else to take up the sport. The race is supported by Paul Lewis, Richard Cootes, all who encouraged someone to give it a whirl, anyone who offered their boats or mentorship and of course, all the racers who took the risk to take part in the adventure.
I still haven’t actually won this race, but until that day comes, it’s a great reminder, all ships rise at high tide.