These Badass Women Sailed Around the World

Making waves and taking names.

Sophie Ciszek

As a bowman, Sophie works the sails from the front of the boat and is often completely submerged in the surf. “It’s intense, but I love the rush,” she says.

Hannah Diamond

Hannah turns one of the wheels that hoists, furls, and trims the boat's 400-pound sails.

Abby Ehler

Abby was the only female boat captain in the race. “She’s the rock—definitely the hardest worker and the toughest person on board,” says teammate Kyle Langford.

Liz Wardley

This is Liz's third Volvo Ocean Race. She sailed in 2001-02 and 2014-15.

Annalise Murphy

A second-generation Olympic sailor (her mother was also a sailor, and Annalise won silver in 2016 in Rio), she was awarded the Irish Times/Sport Ireland 2016 Sportswoman of the Year.

Cécile Laguette

Cécile in training during a stopover in Melbourne, Australia.

Emily Nagel

Emily, 24, was the youngest female sailor in the race.

Martine Grael

Martine is the first Brazilian female to ever compete in the race. Shetook gold in her home Olympic Games in Rio in 2016.

Carolijn Brouwe

Carolijn has competed in three Olympic Games and three Volvo Ocean Races.

Jena Mai Hansen

Jena joined the race fresh from scooping a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Bianca Cook

Bianca, on leg nine of the race, from Newport, Rhode Island, to Cardiff, Wales. She grew up watching the Volvo Ocean Race fleet race into her hometown of Auckland.

Libby Greenhalgh

Libby comes from a sailing family—her brother Rob is also in the race.

Nina Curtis

An Olympic silver medallist, Nina has been sailing since she was able to walk. She began racing at the age of 8, and by 15 she was competing for the Australian national sailing team.

Sally Barkow

"The race is all about pushing yourself, and your boat, to the max," says Sally.

Annie Lush

Annie was part of an all-female team in 2014-15.