[brigidaarmstrong]

Recovering from a capsize in the sabre has been one of my biggest challenges. It seems to be a common problem for female sailors which is why I was hoping to continue the discussion and get some ideas about how other women manage.

I am fairly light but can get the boat upright by hanging underneath the centre board by my hands and ankles (like a monkey).

Getting in is difficult. The boat sits between head to wind and abeam. I pull the windward side of the boat down, hook my left arm around the stay and put my right leg over the gunwale. By this time to boat is heavily heeled to windward. This is generally not a problem in windy weather because my weight is balanced by the sail filling. I then grab the toe straps and pull myself in. All this takes ages by the way. The rest of the fleet are having hot showers.

My big problem is the not so windy weather. If the vang is off when I pull the boat to windward there is not enough pressure in the sail to counter act my weight and the boat comes down on top of me.

I need a more efficient system. I am nervous about ladders and such in case my foot gets caught. I am not very fit despite loads of good intentions. I would love some ideas.

Susannah

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