CORINNE Feldmann and her crew are making a bold statement for women's sport.
And dressed in their distinctive pink uniforms, they certainly stand out racing around our waterways as one of the few, all-female sailing crews.
Seven of the crew of nine are mothers, too: Corinne, Lyn Olynick, Laura Powers, Maddie Cox, Christine Short, Kerry Davies and Tammie Edwards. The other two crew members are Tracey Wadsworth and Ashley Atkins, who at 17 and studying for her HSC at Port Hacking High is the youngest of the crew.
"We all try and have plenty of fun while taking seriously competing in both inshore and offshore races against the men, so we get on well," said Corinne, who together with husband Ross Francis, Cronulla Sailing Club Commodore, own the well-performed Sydney to Hobart yacht, The Banshee.
"We got together about three years ago, and we're loving it — especially when we beat the blokes." The fun-loving, eclectic mix of women sailors include a radiographer, doctor, chiropodist, and several teachers.
They've enjoyed success too, including winning four twilight races and last week's inshore race staged by the club.
One of their victories had a humorous note: "The winds died and we went across the line backwards," said Corinne.
Still, say the ladies, a win's a win.
On the weekend they were the only non-northside crew to compete in the big, annual Manly Women's Sailing Challenge.
"Our big aim is finish in the top three in the offshore division," Corrine said.
