Wendy Schmidt is no longer a rookie at the Maxi Cup

Last year, the American sailor Wendy Schmidt helmed Deep Blue, the new Botin 85 sailboat she owns, on its inaugural run at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. One of very few women skippers in maxi racing, Schmidt stood out from the fleet, winning the start and placing fifth in her class.

She started sailing in 2007 when she was 52 years old. “My husband didn’t think I would spend much time on the boat because I was a tennis player,” she said. “But I ended up going out every single day. It’s been a gradual seduction ever since.”