'A game changer'
The world reacts to our crew gender rule change ahead of the 2017-18 editionVolvo Ocean Race changes rules to give world-class female sailors a clearer pathway to into offshore sailing ➡️ https://t.co/kOQcfRSc1Q pic.twitter.com/Ay27jf1bAb
— Volvo Ocean Race (@volvooceanrace) October 10, 2016
Here's Volvo Ocean Race CEO Mark Turner with some more info on the factors that led to this change...
Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 winning skipper Ian Walker had this to say...
Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 winning skipper Ian Walker on the rule change to encourage more world-class female sailors to head offshore... pic.twitter.com/z0JDthBr7u
— Volvo Ocean Race (@volvooceanrace) October 11, 2016
And Tracy Edwards, the skipper of the first ever all-female team, Maiden, in 1989-90, was delighted...
Hats off to @888markturner and @volvooceanrace for supporting women competing at highest level #sailing #girlpower https://t.co/5HISpHdvHQ
— Tracy Edwards (@TracyEdwardsMBE) October 10, 2016
Race veterans Abby Ehler and Phil Harmer went head to head live on BBC World Service to debate the pros and cons of the rule change...
The majority of sailing fans were all for it...
World needs visionaries. @888markturner changed the rule of @volvooceanrace to allow pro-female sailors to race. Respecting this! https://t.co/ugcENcdToJ
— Satu Ekdahl (@satu_ekdahl) October 16, 2016
Great news from @888markturner and team - clever and trailblazing. Offshore sailing becomes a global sport rather than an adventure of a few https://t.co/whO0MBpK58
— Peter Bayer (@peter__bayer) October 11, 2016
...as were the sailors...
Good news !! https://t.co/ffkQ0A79We
— Carolijn Brouwer (@CarolijnBrouwer) October 11, 2016
#DayoftheGirl the sport I love is leading the way in #diversity. Will be interesting to see what materialises, it's a start @TheMagentaProj https://t.co/pAxYFTBvtE
— Libby Greenhalgh (@LibbyGreenhalgh) October 11, 2016
...and potential future sailors...
Bring on next year, I am ready for it!!Thanks @888markturner and the team @volvooceanrace for this groundbreaking decision. #determined https://t.co/w6PvdEevKR
— Cecile Laguette (@CecileLaguette) October 10, 2016
Clever Volvo Ocean Race, keeping women in sailing. https://t.co/l57kknWSoi pic.twitter.com/3u9yqbXQaJ
— Hugh Brayshaw Racing (@HughBrayshaw) October 12, 2016
But you can't please everyone...
@volvooceanrace why cant there just be a rule to have a mixed sex and age crew ? dont like the idea one man is worth two women
— london-oil-trader (@selondontrader) October 11, 2016
@volvooceanrace Never been so on the fence about something! Both fores and against but I would rather see more than one all female boat.
— Lucy Munger (@lucymunger) October 13, 2016
Dee Caffari and Tracy Edwards went live in the Sky Sports News studio to give their points of view...
Meanwhile, the media debated the pros and cons...
Do you agree with the new rule for the Volvo Ocean Race, allowing sailing crews with women to have more members than all-male boats?
— Sportswomen (@SportswomenSky) October 25, 2016
Female sailors to take around-the-world race by storm? https://t.co/gv6ICXLPN7
— CNN International (@cnni_headlines) October 11, 2016
...and you voted on Twitter for your favourite crew combination under the new rule
Which crew combination are you most looking forward to seeing in action? ⚓️⛵️ #ThursdayThoughts
— Volvo Ocean Race (@volvooceanrace) October 13, 2016
The debate goes on! Let us know your points of view – follow us on Facebook and Twitter now!