Leyton and the Magenta Project, a program changing the game by promoting greater access to offshore sailing for women

The Leyton Ocean Fifty stands out on a booming circuit, days before the awaited finale. The multihull skipped by Sam Goodchild is not only brilliantly leading the Pro Sailing Tour, but also has the only mixed crew of the circuit. Since the beginning of the season, two young women have joined the crew led by the British sailor. A dynamic promoted by the skipper himself who wishes to give greater access to multihull offshore racing for female sailors. Leyton fully supports and assists this project, rich in meaning and possibilities.

The Leyton Sailing Team finished the 3^rd episode of the Pro Sailing Tour in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, with another victory. Swiss female sailor, Elodie-Jane Mettraux, number one on the crew, comments on this rewarding experience:

“I’ve learned so many things, it’s an extremely rich experience to understand how an Ocean Fifty works. The crew is great, I feel very lucky to be here. I’m really excited to get the boat to the Mediterranean, it will be a new sailing experience with new things to learn. Thank you to Leyton for giving female sailors such an opportunity“

Elodie-Jane Mettraux

She is a founding member of the Magenta Project, 1^st international sports network of professional female sailors. She had launched the first training session organised in La Trinité-Sur-Mer last May. For the second training session, the Leyton crew welcomed three young women to bring the Ocean Fifty from Las Palmas to Marseille. The trimaran left the Canaries with Aymeric Chappellier, Elodie-Jane Mettraux and Jochen Krauth onboard and made a stop in Gibraltar to embark the Dutch Rosalin Kuiper and the Italian Cécilia Zorzi, two new crew members selected for the Magenta program.

Mathilde Geron, former member of the French 470 national team, joined Sam and the team for some sailing sessions for the Sustainable Organisation Summit organized by Leyton.

The complete crew went from the Southern tip of Spain to Marseille in four days with optimal weather conditions, perfect for the female sailors.

“We left Gibraltar in the middle of the night in 27 knots of wind, so it was a strong start! We were immediately thrown into the action and when the sun came out it was incredible to see the beautiful landscapes! I realize how lucky I am to have had this experience!” confides Rosalin.

“Opportunities to sail on such a boat are scarce. With the trimaran you always have to be focused and alert which was quit stressful at the start. But we quickly found our way around it and we learned a lot with Aymeric by our side.” explains Cécilia.

Leyton and the Magenta Project have been working hand in hand since the beginning of the year to give female sailors opportunities to discover the multihull. The goal is for them to get to know the technical side of the boat and to get accustomed to the sensations generated by these demanding and very fast platforms. In Marseille, a new recruit discovered the Leyton Ocean Fifty. Mathilde Geron, former member of the French 470 national team, joined Sam and the team for some sailing sessions for the Sustainable Organisation Summit organized by Leyton.

Since the beginning of the season, eight women have sailed and exchanged with Sam and the crew. Leyton and the Magenta Project will hold a third training session in early September. For the last session, Sam Goodchild will welcome the selected female sailors and take them on a tour of the coasts of his childhood in England and Scotland.

Watch episode 2 of our webseries “Inside Leyton Sailing” with a focus on the Magenta Project 👇