Africa-Press – Seychelles. Why I’m sailing around Seychelles in 18 bays?
Dubbed ‘Around Seychelles in 18 Bays’ the sailing charitable activity will take place in June this year, to raise funds for the Liam’s Rainbow Foundation, while creating awareness on marine-related issues.
Inspired by Jules Verne’s 1873 classic, ‘Around the world in 80 days’, the sailing event is scheduled to take place on June 10, on the occasion of World Oceans Day. An all-female crew comprising influential women in sports, arts, conservation and politics, will sail around Mahé, Praslin and La Digue in a catamaran, covering 18 bays during a whole day. The catamaran will be under the stewardship of female captain Marie-Jeanne Paton, who currently operates local ferry Cat Cocos.
Today we meet three of the crew members including Ms Paton.
‘A dream of mine to sail with an only female crew’
“As a water sport fanatic, it has been a dream of mine to sail with an only female crew around the islands of Seychelles to embody the capability of Seychellois women at sea. So the journey began! I was definitely onboard and ready to be part of a milestone; part of history in the making for Seychelles and to raise funds for a noble charity which is close to the heart of many.
“I grew up on the La Digue island in a family of seafarers before moving to Mahé permanently. I love being at sea, sailing or doing any other related activity.
“Joining the sailing school at the age of 18 has been a turning point in my life. I started in windsurfing which brought me great success and eventually led me to win a silver medal in the 2003 Indian Ocean Islands Games in Mauritius.
“After being absent from the sailing community for a decade, I made a comeback in 2015 in the Laser sailing category. A real challenge where I saw myself winning a silver medal in the 2016 Regional Championship and the same year I won another silver medal in the Laser African Championship in Mozambique. With such results, I was ranked third in the race for the Sports woman of the Year 2016 title.
“I am currently an executive member of the Seychelles Yachting Association and the Seychelles Women and Sports Association. The need to give back to the sports community is a close calling and one where I intend to advocate on the potential and growth of women in sports as well as bring to light the challenges that women are facing, such as abuses among other pertinent issues.”
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