Presenting Lizzy - sailing solo in the Mini Transat
by Peta Stuart-Hunt 3 Apr 2015 12:06 BST
3 April 2015
Lizzy Foreman © Patrick Eden
British hopes will be riding high with Lizzy on her first-ever Mini Transat Race, starting September 19th 2015
DOB: 21/6/90. Lizzy's 24 & will be 25 when she crosses the start line on September 19th.
Hometown: Worcester Park, Surrey but spent a lot of time working in Cowes and now trains in France.
Background
Having sailed since the age of three, Lizzy took to racing in her early teens progressing through the RS Feva, Laser Radial, 29er and RS700 dinghy classes.
At the age of 18, Lizzy began working as a 1st mate onboard a Clipper and a Whitbread 60. Learning the ropes on these ocean-going race yachts confirmed Lizzy's desire to one day compete in the Vendée Globe; the toughest of solo round-the-world yacht races. Selection for the British Keelboat Academy (BKA) in 2010 marked the start of Lizzy's journey towards this lifelong goal.
With the BKA Lizzy managed a number of J80 campaigns, raced in the Farr 45 fleet, took 1st place in the ½ ton Cup (2011) and 4th place (1st lady) in the Etchells Nationals (2011). Lizzy's time with the BKA culminated in the 2012 Brewin Dolphin Commodore's Cup; she managed a team of 9 sailors onboard Yeoman of Wight, attaining 3rd place overall, the Most Impressive Yacht and the Twee Gezusters Trophy (1st lady).
Gaining Experience
In her graduation year as a Speech and Language Therapist, Lizzy applied for the Artemis Offshore Academy's 48-hour selection process. Lizzy was the only woman nominated for the 2011 squad, and has since trained in the Figaro and Mini 6.50 classes; renowned as the best starting point for a career in ocean racing.
Learning the Ropes
Throughout 2013, Lizzy also worked as Logistics Assistant at OC Sport in Cowes, helping to coordinate the Academy's fleet & sailors. Working for the company that managed Ellen MacArthur's and Nick Moloney's Vendée Globe campaigns gave Lizzy a wealth of experience in ocean racing campaign management.
With a solid background in short-handed sailing, experience of campaign management, 1600nm miles logged in the Mini 6.50 and having taken a preparateur role at the 2013 Mini Transat, Lizzy had a really busy Spring & Summer in 2014 competing in a number of races in the pursuit of her own offshore racing campaign and to qualify for the 2015 Mini Transat in her Mini 6.50 Hudson Wight (#633).
2015: Countdown to the Mini Transat
April 2015
Tuesday 07: Lizzy competing: Lorient BSM 150 miles double-handed
Saturday 11: Lizzy Lorient BSM start
Saturday 18: Lizzy Start of the Pornichet Select race
Thursday 30: Lizzy competing: Arrives La Trinite Mini in May race 500 mile solo
June 2015
Monday 01: Lizzy competing: Arrive Douarnenez to start MAP race 220 miles solo
Tuesday 09: Lizzy Competing: Arriving Mini Fastnet 600 miles double-handed
Sunday 14: Lizzy: Start of Mini Fastnet
Friday 26*: Lizzy attends the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race press conference
Saturday 27: Lizzy competing in J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race
July 2015
Tuesday 21: Lizzy arrives for the Transgascoyne 660 mile solo race
Sunday 26: Lizzy Start of Transgascoyne Leg 1
August 2015
Saturday 01: Lizzy Start of Transgascoyne Leg 2 (Escale a Luanco)
Saturday 08: Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week
Saturday September 19th 2015: Lizzy crosses the start line of the Mini Transat
You can follow Lizzy's campaign at www.lizzyracing.com