Applications for The Magenta Project’s mentorship program are open for the 2026-2027 cycle. This program aims to improve diversity in sailing and in particular support women at the highest levels of the sport by pairing aspiring athletes with industry leaders who can help them reach their potential.
Each successful applicant will be matched with a mentor with corresponding expertise in their area of interest, including offshore, Olympic, and STEM pathways. Successful applicants will receive their pairing in October to begin the nine-month long program.
Each mentee is expected to have their own goals that will guide the work that they do with their mentor. There is no standard program, but rather a unique relationship based on the expertise and ambitions of the pair. Mentors may be remote or local, which also may guide the partnership and allow for things like time on the water together or networking in areas that the mentee otherwise wouldn’t have access to.
The Magenta Project was founded in 2015 when the crew of the all-women’s SCA campaign in the Volvo Ocean Race realized that they weren’t getting the same opportunities as their male counterparts—even after racing around the world. To date, roughly 300 sailors and 100 mentors have participated in the program from countries all around the globe.
Applications close on September 1.
To learn more or submit an application, go to themagentaproject.org/mentoring
