Lisa Blair AUS

Skipper

Lisa has been competitively sailing for over 10 years racking up over 70 000 nm in offshore sailing experience.  Lisa last raced 'Climate Action Now' in the 2015 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race before she sailed the boat over 20 000 nm solo around Antarctica becoming the first woman to do so. 

"I cant wait to share my knowledge with other women in sailing and help the next generation of ocean racers coming through".

Libby Greenhalgh UK

Co-skipper/navigator

Libby, a qualified Meteorologist, has an impressive sailing resume inculding dinghies at multiple National, European and World Championships, the British Olympic Sailing team at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games and onboard naviator for Team SCA in the Volvo Ocean Race. 

“The chance to do the Sydney-Hobart is one I have been aspiring to for a while but to also be able to give that opportunity to 4 upcoming sailors and continue to develop the pathway and network for women in sport and industry with The Magenta Project is another step towards our overall goals."

Ellie Draper UK

Helmsperson/Pit

Ellie started dinghy racing as a youngster, stepping into keelboat racing in her mid-20s. She takes every opportunity to race inshore and offshore, but her passion is for offshore as this develops the greatest range of skills. She’s also a keen promoter of women’s sailing, having been an organiser of the UK Women’s Open Keelboat Championship for 5 years.

“I feel exceptionally lucky to have had some great offshore racing opportunities myself so far, and am really chuffed to be working with Lisa and the Magenta Project to give this experience to some emerging female offshore sailors.”

Alison Kent USA

Alison grew up racing dingy and keel boats from a young age with her family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (USA). She has competed in multiple Chicago-Mackinac races and participated in collegiate sailing. Looking to extend her offshore and all around knowledge of the sport after graduating college, she moved to Auckland, New Zealand. There, she regularly races on competitive programs, coaches optimists, and works as a sailmaker.

“I am ecstatic to have the opportunity to not only sail the Sydney Hobart, a race that has been on my bucket list, but to also sail with such strong and experienced women sailors. It's an honor to learn about offshore sailing from sailors that do so much for women in the sport.”  

Allie Gray USA

 Allie grew up sailing dinghies before she had the opportunity to make 3 passages from Honduras to Florida in high school. After being bit by the bug, she has gone on to compete in races like the Newport-Bermuda and the Marblehead-Halifax and even stood as the only female skipper on the course for the Korea Cup International Yacht Race in 2013. Now working in adaptive sailing, she advocates for the opportunity for everyone to experience the independence of sailing.

     "I'm thrilled to be competing in such an iconic event as the Sydney-Hobart! To have the opportunity to be sailing it along side such experienced women, means I only stand to learn more. Thank you to Lisa Blair and the Magenta Project for making this possible!" 

Carina Becker USA

Carina grew up sailing dinghies and keelboats on the Long Island Sound. She started sailing distance races in 2013 with the Young American Big Boat Team and since then has sailed as many miles as possible including a Newport-Bermuda Race, in which she sailed on High Noon earning Line-Honors. Currently, she is on the the Boston University Sailing Team as a freshman. 

“I am super excited to be part of this team and learn from everyone on board. I am thankful for all the work Lise and Libby have put into this race and can’t wait to get out there.” 

Kaz Young AUS

Kaz Young began sailing in Port Phillip Bay in Melbourne back in 2002.  From dinghies to sports boats to crewing on larger keel boats she has spent time racing in the bay with friends as well as clocking up ocean miles in many of the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria's key races, including the tough West Coast Melbourne to Hobart Race.  With professional qualifications in Critical Care Nursing, Information Technology and Business and a ton of valuable life experiences, she hopes to continue developing her knowledge and skills in sailing and to take on new challenges.

"The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race has always been an aspiration.  To have the opportunity to undertake this race with and learn from some of the best sailors around, as part of the Magenta Project on board Climate Action Now, is just amazing. I am very grateful and super excited!"

Alex South AUS

Alex began sailing on Sydney's Parramatta River at the age of 4. Since then she has gone on to national and international sailing success, including being crowned the 2013 18ft Skiff Women's World Champion, sailing in the Extreme Sailing Series and being chosen as the single female member of the Australian America's Cup Team (AUS17 - now dissolved). Her offshore experience includes Volvo 60 deliveries in the UK and Channel Islands and being apart of the CYCA Ocean Point Score winning team in 2016. With a background in sports management and PR, Alex's interest lies in youth and female sports participation, education and engagement. She work's as a sailing coach throughout Australia, studies psychology and still actively competes in dinghy racing. 
 

'In May next year I turn 25 and it's always been a goal to get the Hobart ticked off my list before then... So to get the call up is an absolute honour and it's also a dream come true! To be able to sail with a team of such talented girls is so exciting and I can't believe the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business! I can't wait to get out there and send it!'