Guest editorial: The year that broke the mould by Henriette Smith

I honestly never thought in a million years that I would be sitting on this hard bench, feet freezing even with the temperature on the correct side of zero, thinking back over the year that was and feel this particular set of emotions.

I’ve been telling people for years that I want to become a World Champion, because, honestly, why dream small when you can dream big?  But somewhere deep inside of this wretched body, the voice, saying “You can’t, you won’t”, still kept the door hard open. I’ve never been known for conforming, and in true contrary style, my partner-in-crime and I set out to achieve the impossible, or at least, if not impossible, then supremely hard.

It all comes down to one thing. Or maybe two, depending on how you count: these possibilities and the hope. This teeth-grinding, tear-jerking, heart-warming chase for enjoyment. And, in all honesty, results. Because, who are we kidding, we LOVE that feeling of progress and headway. That heady mix of “Don’t know, but I’ll get there come what may” is created by inclusion. And people. But mostly inclusion.

All those roll-up-your-sleeves forward thinkers out there have made this possible: my year that broke the mould. The friendships, the experiences, the results. The no-mess, one and only reason why I, the world’s least athletic person who have given up more activities and sports in life than any other person I know (possibly with exception of one or two ADHD friendlies), found a sport that not only keeps my interest, but also challenges as well as accommodates.

Some of the year’s events were so mind-blowing it is hard to find the right words to explain:

• SailGP where racing meant having an Olympic gold medallist as crew and coaching meant chasing a F50 in a tender going 60km/h while being challenged to analyse and comprehend the tactics.
• Barcolana lifting their heads, listening to the wave and choosing 2023 as the year of firsts by inviting us all to compete in an Inclusive event with a backdrop of the world’s largest regatta and the world’s most infamous yacht – Yacht A.
• An Inclusion World Championship and its catapult practices set against a performance blowing our expectations and results off the charts.
• The Allianz Sailing World Championships, which for the first time included an inclusive event, producing one ridiculously proud and shy moment of carrying our nation’s flag in front of a televised crowd, as well as a week racing against the absolute best para sailors of the world.

Or our home event #nowindbutloadsoffun Para Nordic Championship that broke all Nordic records with a staggering 12 teams bearing plans concocted for a North European Women’s coaching and training network.

And the Midsommar Regatta and Swedish Qualifier, because nothing is better than placing in a race against the Swedes.

Also, last but not least: this year’s kick-off, the localest of the local: Blåveisen Regatta who opened up their hearts and let us start the season off with actually keeping up with (at least until the top mark) some fierce and competitive 29ers.

A bouquet of fabulously fun, seriously strenuous and infamously impudent memories that are all connected to someone choosing to aid us in shifting the plane and breaking the mould. From Local coaches believing in our abilities, via MNA supplying equipment and fronting participation, to World Sailing and its connected organisers taking chances, clearing hurdles and creating opportunities where physical functionality is a byword, and “Inclusion is the Solution”.

As 2024 is steadily progressing with cross country skiing and Ridderweek readying the body for another massive sailing season, I’d like to take a moment to thank all of you for believing and pursuing – from local clubs and inclusive programs all the way to World Sailing: as we say in Norway: no-one named, no-one forgotten.