Rolex World Sailor of the Year catch up

March 6 is Mother’s Day in Great Britain, so the perfect time to catch up with current Rolex World Sailor of the Year and mum of two boys, Sarah Ayton.

The last time we spoke to Ayton was when she was picking up her award thanks to a great year in the Extreme Sailing Series, in which she was the only female competing. Since then, a lot has changed, in both the Series and Ayton’s role as she explains, “The GC32 (Catamaran) is a new boat this year in the Extremes. There is a lot to learn and it’s very physical.

“The feeling is at the moment that the teams are going for the super fit strong boy instead of the super fit strong girl as their fifth member, but I’m very grateful to still be on the tour and learning a lot about foiling in preparation for next year.”

Still being on the tour means a step in to a coaching role for the double Olympic gold medallist with Oman Air, but although it may be a new career path, Ayton isn’t giving up on sailing just yet, “I think next year there will be a compulsory rule to have a female on board so all the teams are in the same situation, so I will use this year to just learn the boat.

“And being in Dubai at the training camp I was definitely happy to just watch from the motor boat as the GC’s look really feisty and there is lots to learn about sailing them and making them go fast.”

Ayton knows that a year learning a new boat can only be beneficial and is the right step for her at this point in time. Ayton also knows that there is a bigger picture to look at in the world of sport and is preparing herself at a time when she has a natural break and opportunity to do so, “If you look in to female sport, its about looking in to other career paths and this is a good transition time for me to step in to coaching and fits my bigger ambition to get more children in to sailing. So in a way it’s a really good time for me and a chance to be a role model to other girls in sport.”

Competing. Coaching. Being a role model. They are all achievements that Ayton will and has already ticked off in some respects. They are also achievements that Ayton can use for her ever growing ambitions, “I’m working really hard and trying to progress my idea of connecting schools to the local sailing club and give them the opportunity to have a go.

“This summer I have got about 120 children sailing that have never done it before. My vision is to have a Sarah Ayton Academy and build upon this summer nationally and the goal is to get more kids sailing week in week out.”

For the 120 children Ayton will introduce to the world of sailing, there are two that have already had the ‘Sarah Ayton Academy’ treatment. Her son’s Thomas (6) and Oscar (4). But it would be unfair to say that Sarah has pushed her children to a life on the water, there is a choice, “I’m encouraging the boys in all sports. I think it’s important for your children to choose what they want to do, but sailing teaches you many skills and whether they compete or not the skills you learn along the way will be of great value.”

Whether sailing or coaching, a life at the top end of the sport can mean a lot of travel for regattas around the world, which can be difficult for a mother. But as Ayton heads to the airport, there is already someone in place to fill the void, “I’m very lucky that my mum stands in and holds the fort when I’m away,” commented Ayton, “life goes on as normal for the boys, and that makes me very fortunate that I can go away and do what I enjoy.”

But where there is enjoyment, there are also some other emotions that surface, “I find it difficult to go away and there is a sense of guilt when I do, so I am very fortunate to have my mum to come in and help out, but it’s just like any other job, I do it for a reason and for them.”

Just like any other job, and any other mother, Ayton will be looking to move forward and has her children in mind in her work-life balance. And it’s not limited to just Thomas and Oscar, Ayton has everyone’s best interest at heart, even the children she hasn’t met yet that are potential future attendees of the Sarah Ayton Academy.

With International Women’s Day on the 8 March, World Sailing will be focussing on women in sailing with a group of features showcasing just a few of the achievements and personalities we have in our sport.