Local Girls Participate In This Year’s Race Week

Throughout her life Demi has always sailed but for the last two years she has been really getting into it and has fallen in love with the sport.

“My favourite thing about it is just being out on the water and getting to share that experience,” she shared.

“The experience out there is very special. I love the teamwork that goes on out on the boats. It’s a very nice environment, I feel like I’m always being lifted, it’s a very positive place to be.”

Demi competed in Race Week for the first time last year and her and her team came second overall in their division.

Hoping to improve on last year Demi is aboard the MC 38 called Blackjack.

Preparations for Airlie Beach Race Week have been underway for some time and for the last few weeks Demi has been training on the headsail.

“On the headsail we basically pull on the sheets and release, releasing and culling on sheets and trimming to the wind, and making sure that the sails at the right angle for the course that we’re traveling on,” explained Demi.

Demi loves Race Week, she said seeing all 150 boats on the start line and watching all the sails go off into the distance is very special.

“I'm honestly just very excited for this opportunity,” she expressed.

“Because we're new to this boat this year. Very rare for the guys. They're very knowledgeable sailors and they've taught us so much and taken us under their wing.

“It's very exciting to test myself out on their new boat. challenge myself with the conditions. Just put my best foot forward and have a great time

Also, on Demi’s boat this year and alongside her working the headsail is Jasmine Gerlofsma.

Like Demi, Jasmine loves Race Week and is excited to get out on the water.

“I just love like the feeling of going so fast, I just love the feeling of turning the engine off and listening to the water. It’s a pretty incredible!” said Jasmine.

“I also love meeting all the different people from the different boats because so many people come up for Airlie Beach Race Week, it's crazy!
“We all have a catch up at the end of the day at the Whitsunday Sailing Club down at the grass area. We listen to music, eat good food and catch up. It's really awesome hearing about everyone's experience from earlier that day.”

Like Demi, Jasmine has sailed for a while, but Jasmine has also lived on a sailing boat.

Jasmine lived on two boats during her childhood, one a 41-foot boat and the other a 46 foot boat, both reasonably small for her and her family to live on, tight but they made it work.

Whilst living on the boat Jasmine was home schooled or boat schooled, and she really enjoyed learning at her own pace and learning other things too.

“We learned Maths and English but we learned more about outdoor activities, like fishing and all the information for when we go snorkelling, boat terminology and everything about sailing.”

Demi Vardanega and Jasmine Gerlofsma, Photos supplied

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