Adventure: Mount Everest
During the in-port race, we were joined by Suzanne Al Houby, the first Arab woman to climb Mount Everest. The event was covered by The National:
via Arab mountaineer inspires Omani all-female crew to scale high point – The National.
When I asked Suzanne how her climbing adventure began, she said she came to a point in her life when she wondered if this was it? She was married and had children but wanted to do something more. Suzanne went on her first climb in all the wrong gear. She said it was miserable, but she loved it. And so her story began…
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Suzanne Al Houby and Katie Pettibone
Adventure: Sailing Arabia 2012
Later in the day I was talking with Raiya about her thoughts regarding her experience with Sailing Arabia 2012, and Raiya told me she loves it and wants to do more… Raiya shared that a journalist had asked her what was the point of it all was? What would she do if she got engaged/married/had children? And, why she wasn’t home taking care of her skin??? Raiya told me that she set the male journalist straight by telling him that many who loved her would support what she wanted to do in sailing and that she could do both — have a family/ life/career like the other professional sailers on board Al Thuraya. Raiya said she also told the journalist she didn’t want to be at home worrying about her skin when she could be out sailing on the ocean!
I loved it, and I told her the best thing you can do for your skin is be happy!
Adventure: Teaching
A woman at the yacht club told us a story I would like to share with you. The woman is a teacher, and when she told her pupils here in RAK about an all women’s team racing in the Sail Arabia Tour, the students didn’t believe her. They said, “Well, it is full of westerners.” The women told them, “No. The boat has Omani women onboard.” The students still didn’t believe her. So, she had her class research our team on the internet. When the students found out their teacher was telling the truth, they were awestruck and so excited to learn that it was true. Omani women were doing it. and doing it well! They are now following our team and the race, and they are big fans!
Adventure: Volvo Ocean Race
My good friend and teammate from the Volvo Ocean Race 2002-2003, Emma Westmacott, has swapped in for Hannah Morris and will be sailing with us for the rest of the tour. Emma is a great addition to the team and brings incredible experience with her.
