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8:53 AM Mon 24 Nov 2008 GMT
In most forms of motorsport, female competitors are in the distinct minority. In Powerboat P1, women are racing up the field as fast as the men.
The lack of women in motorsport continues to be such a clich? that it's almost becoming a tired one. Look in any racing paddock around the world, and it's dominated by white males. Diversity isn't a word that's often used in the pit garages of Formula 1 or MotoGP. That's not the case in Powerboat P1, though.
In recent years, the number of women to get involved in offshore racing has increased at a rate exponentially far beyond that in most land-based motorsport series, and this year in Powerboat P1, we had three women take a front-row thrill-ride seat and take on the men in what - for years - has been their own game.
Leading the way in 2008 has been former Honda Formula 4Stroke champion Shelley Jory, who made history by being the first woman to pilot an Evolution class boat. With the #77 Lucas Oil team of experienced racer Nigel Hook, she's proved to be as tough a racer as anyone around her, while still retaining what she says is her naturally feminine personality out of the cockpit.
'It was harder coming new into the sport than for a guy, because I can't get it wrong,' she says. 'I have to perform and get results. If a man isn't doing well, the attitude is: 'That's part of racing'. If I don't do well, it's: 'Well, she's a girl'. There is a general stereotype: women can't drive fast boats; they're not into speed. So I'm constantly trying to overcome that. But the stereotype in some respects has worked for me as well as against me. | The #10 Fantastic Cigarette boat was racing with the front runners in Italy - U.I.M Powerboat P1World Championship - © |
'Yes, I'm held to a different standard, but the upside is - by performing well - I've gained huge respect from the guys. I've had established Italian and American racers say to me: 'You can really drive a boat'. I had to work twice as hard to prove myself, but - once I did - it has been great. It's not a burden, but there is extra pressure because I hate to disappoint people. When they're giving me their support, as a woman, I definitely want to live up to their expectations.
'The wives and girlfriends of other racers have been so supportive. They love the fact I'm racing. Many have told me they're cheering for their men, but also for me. Children are also great. They think you're Lewis Hamilton, and the look in little girl's eyes is especially thrilling. But even adult women - and men as well - will come up and say: 'I just have to shake your hand. I couldn't do what you do'.'
'So many women tell me how proud they are of me. And I'm very proud to be a lady in a man's sport. I just have to work harder than my male counterparts. I'm not a feminist. I want to be treated like a princess in other aspects of my life, but - in racing - I'm a competitor.'
Shelley isn't the only woman to have taken the wheel in Powerboat P1 this year. Sarah Donohue started 2008 as navigator in the #22 Big Sergio SuperSport-class boat, before taking the pilot's wheel of the #08 Phoenix boat of Martin Lai. But, as she admits, she has a very different approach on being a woman in a man's world.
'I was brought up with six brothers,' she explains. 'All of my friends are either in the military, or firemen. I've always been more comfortable with guys. You might say I'm in touch with my masculine side. I don't have many close female friends, so I'd probably be more uncomfortable in a 'female' sport.
'The guys treat me like one of the guys - they play the same jokes and tricks on me that they would with any of the other guys. In fact, they push a little harder and a little further than they might with another girl. I've been around long enough, and held my own, so they have come to respect my experience and I've really become part of the furniture.
 | Sarah Donohue joined Martin Lai in the #08 Phoenix boat in Spain and Portugal - U.I.M Powerboat P1World Championship - © |
'It took a couple of seasons [for the the wives and girlfriends of other racers] to get to know me and what I'm about, but it's natural. I get along famously with all of the other women, because they - too - understand I'm just one of the guys.'
Tunisian rally and powerboat ace Abla Lassoued made it a trio of women racers in Powerboat P1 when she joined the #88 Kiton Outerlimits Evolution class team as navigator for her home event, matching Jory's 2008 achievements by reaching the podium.
Women aren't just driving the boats in Powerboat P1, though - there are numerous women involved in running the Evolution and SuperSport class teams, while women are adistinctly in the majority on the Powerboat P1 management team, leading the way on all aspects of running the championship from hospitality, through marketing and PR to organising the paddock and liaising with teams.
And this is only where it starts. Word on the street is that there may be an all-woman team in Powerboat P1 in the near future. Just don't tell the boys.
www.powerboatp1.com
by Powerboat P1 media
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