Mooloolaba Yacht Club's Lauren Calder has accepted a huge challenge to match her male rivals in the physically demanding discipline of one-design racing in the SB3 Dart sports boat class.
She recently returned from competing in the open world championships in Portugal and is now ready to test that valuable experience against her male rivals in class racing off Mooloolaba Beach before heading to contest the Audi Australian Championship at Port Stephens next April.
Meanwhile the Audi Sunshine Coast Women's SB3 Dart racing team have issued an open invitation for new members to join their campaign which includes an opportunity for successful applicants to compete at Port Stephens followed the 2010 World championship at Lake Garda, Italy in July.
The program managed by 2007 and 2009 Audi Australian IRC champion Rod Jones is designed to provide an equal opportunity for female sailors to compete at the international level beside enjoying a unique and friendly fellowship with racing in an exciting one-design class.
Strict class rules and the clone nature of the design provide all crews with the equal opportunity to test their personal energy, technique and tactical strategy against the prevailing wind and sea conditions.
Also the SB3 Dart is an exciting performer particularly on the spinnaker and two sail reaching in fresh winds.
“They are equally ballasted with a drop keel and there are no hiking assists to favour the normally heavier male crews.” Rod Jones said.
Mooloolaba Yacht Club has a proud history of promoting an equal opportunity for female sailors to extend their career into senior class racing at the international level.
The OceanBuro SB3 Dart sports boat program provides an exciting alternative for the female sailor to compete on equal terms where the results are purely decided on sailing smart with the wind that blows over the deck.
It's a challenge which Lauren Calder has accepted to compliment a busy lifestyle surrounding parenthood with her career as a commercial airline pilot.
She has progressively developed her talent to become equally successful in racing with the Sunshine Coast Audi SB3 sports boat campaign and promises to add further major results to the honour board at the Mooloolaba Yacht Club including those achieved by female World and Australian title winners.
Meanwhile Lauren Calder and Rod Jones will continue to provide an open obligation free invitation for interested female sailors to test their skill with racing in this exciting class.
“We are looking for sailors who are dedicated to improving their skills all they need is to know the basics”. Rod Jones said.
The benefits are endless with the crew nominated to contest the Audi Victoria Week in Geelong followed by the National championship at Port Stephens and the World series in Italy.
