ORCV Women, They're Part of the Blueprint
When we think about yacht racing, our minds usually jump to the rush of the start gun, the tension on the helm, the salt spray flying off the bow. But for every boat that crosses the start line, there’s a team of people behind the scenes making sure it can all happen—safely, smoothly, and with a whole lot of heart.
That’s exactly who we’re celebrating with the ORCV’s upcoming Women’s Helm, Navigator and Radio Race on July 28th. Yes, it’s about women at the wheel—but it’s also about the ones checking boats in, logging finish times, monitoring safety, and capturing every magic moment on camera.
This isn’t just about racing. It’s about representation. It’s about stepping up, saying yes, and discovering just how much you can contribute—whether you’ve sailed around the world or only just learned your port from your starboard.
Vicki Bayly – Calm on the Radio, Sharp with a Stopwatch
Vicki didn’t set out to become a race operator. She thought she’d try cruising. But when someone suggested that racing was the fastest way to learn, she gave it a go—and never looked back.
Now she’s the voice you’ll hear checking boats in, tracking their progress, and calling them across the finish line. She’s been trained to run races in 40-knot conditions and won the ORCV’s 2022 Race Operator Award. For this race, she’ll be up early and on the start boat with her notebook and VHF, noting positions and recording times.
“I didn’t mean to get into racing,” she says, laughing. “But it made me fall in love with it. It brings every bit of you into action. It’s calm. It’s exciting. It’s rewarding—and you don’t need to know everything to start.”
Vicki came through ORCV’s KISS (Keelboat Introduction to Sailing Savvy) program and is a passionate advocate for other women to give it a try. “If there’s a gap, I like to have a go,” she says. “Doing is the only way to learn.”
Vicki in the 60th Sea Pilots 30 March 2025 (provided by Vicki)
Marg Goddard – Watching Over Every Boat
Marg doesn’t crave the spotlight. You’ll usually find her behind the scenes, quietly monitoring a race via MarineTraffic, listening to VHF updates, and ready to step in if anything goes awry. She’s been part of the ORCV’s Incident Management Team since 2022—but her journey began years earlier at a dinghy club, when helping out in the race box gave her a whole new perspective.
“Being behind the scenes helps you become a better sailor,” she says. “You learn the flags, the rules, how races really work—and you see just how much support\goes into it all.”
A retired teacher and chaplain, Marg brings emotional intelligence and calm problem-solving to everything she does. And while she’s quick to point out that “it’s not for everyone,” she also says, “if you’re good with admin, dealing with people, and thinking on your feet—there’s a place for you.”
Marg has been mentored by some of the best, including Rik Head and Vanessa Twigg, and says she’s never felt alone. “There’s always someone to guide you. And that’s the beauty of this kind of volunteering—you learn, you grow, and you give back.”
Marg at the helm in the Australian Women's Keelboat Regatta 2019 (photo provided by Marg)
Cas Bukor – Finding the Heartbeat Through Her Lens
Cas took up sailing at 65. Now 68, she’s a regular on the water—camera in hand, eye on the action. A professional graphic designer turned award-winning photographer, Cas combines her creative eye with her newfound love of sailing to capture the sport in its rawest, most joyful form.
“When people see themselves out on the water—boat heeled over, sails full, grinning from ear to ear—it means something. It becomes part of their story,” she says.
This will be her first official shoot for the ORCV, and she couldn’t be prouder. “Vicki invited me to come aboard, and I feel like I’ve found my people. I’ve found my place....Sailor Girl is also my inspiration..."
Cas won Photo of the Year at the Williamstown Camera Club for her photo of the Festival of Sails Regatta and created a local Williamstown calendar—but she’s just as happy with an iPhone as a DSLR. “Use what you’ve got,” she says. “What matters is showing up and being present.”
Cas' winning Williamstown Camera Club photo "Racing" of the startline for the Festival of Sails 2024. Boat in foreground is Smuggler.
Cas (R) and with Sailor Girl at the Festival of Sails.
Catherine North – From Round-the-World Racer to Race Director
Catherine North has sailed around the world—literally. As a 2017–18 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race crew member, she knows what it means to step up, dig deep, and go the distance. Now, as she sets her sights on the Melbourne to Osaka Race, she’s embracing a new challenge: stepping into leadership as a Race Director.
For the upcoming Women’s Helm, Navigator and Radio Race, Catherine is helping run the show—from pre-race briefings to finish logs, safety oversight to skipper communications. “It’s easy to showcase women on boats—and that’s important,” she says. “But we also need to showcase women in leadership roles. Running races. Giving out the prizes. That’s where the real change happens.”
Her journey into race management has been guided by the mentorship from the likes of Rik Head and David Schuller. “They’ve been generous with their time and knowledge,” she says. “It’s a steep learning curve, but I’m loving every minute of it.”
Catherine’s message is clear: representation matters—and not just on the water. “I want to show women that we’re in the club. That we do things. It’s important that the club talks the talk by having women in positions of authority.”
Race directing, she says, isn’t all high-octane starts and dramatic finishes. “You need to be detail-oriented. There’s a lot of time sitting in the van, watching boats come in. It can be monotonous—but it’s also deeply rewarding. You're the one making sure everyone gets home safely.”
While prior sailing knowledge helps, it’s not essential. “You’ll get trained. You’ll learn as you go. What matters is being aware—aware of where the boats are, what’s happening, and what needs to happen next. It’s a chance to learn the other side of sailing.”
Having crewed around the world, Catherine is now focused on developing her own sailing leadership skills. The Melbourne to Osaka race will be her first as skipper, and she’s soaking up everything she can. “Race directing is helping me understand the safety side, the logistics, the broader picture. I’ll take that back to the boat.”
More than anything, Catherine is about empowerment—creating environments where people can stretch themselves and discover just how capable they really are. “That’s the greatest thing I’ve learned: we are stronger than we realise, when someone gives us the space to grow. I want other women to experience that.”
Her advice? “Talk to the people doing it. Talk to the club. Ask questions. You’ll find there’s a huge amount of support. Just put your name down—you won’t regret it.”
L-R Rik Head (back of photo), Catherine North, David Schuller (front) at the 2024 Devonport Race
Be Part of the Team That Makes It Happen
Whether it’s on the radio, behind a camera, tracking boats online, or helping hand out trophies—this race is a celebration of what’s possible when women step up behind the scenes.
You don’t need a lifetime of sailing experience. You don’t need expensive gear. You don’t even need to know how to tie a bowline (yet). You just need curiosity, a bit of courage—and a willingness to give it a go.
👉 Want to volunteer? Visit orcv.org.au There’s a spot waiting for you.
Because the real magic of sailing? It’s made by the people who care enough to show up.
