The Magenta Project launches most ambitious equity and inclusion review in global sailing

LONDON, Monday July 14, 2025 – The Magenta Project has today launched the 2×25 global survey, marking the start of the most ambitious equity and inclusion review ever undertaken in sailing and the wider marine industry.

Building on the landmark 2019 Women in Sailing Strategic Review, where 59% of women reported personal discrimination and 80% said gender imbalance was a problem, 2×25 expands the lens to include more research into race, ableism, and age. Six years on, it aims to shine a light on progress made and barriers that still persist across the sport.

Backed by 11th Hour Racing and supported by World Sailing, 2×25 is led by The Magenta Project, a global initiative committed to equity and inclusion in sailing, in collaboration with a team of expert researchers and advisors. 

The research runs from July to September 2025, with final findings to be presented at the World Sailing AGM in November 2025, and publicly launched at METSTRADE and the Yacht Racing Forum.

The launch of 2×25 forms part of a milestone year for The Magenta Project, which celebrates its tenth anniversary with a bold new brand identity and renewed mission to accelerate equity across the sailing and broader marine sector. While women remain at the heart of The Magenta Project’s work, this next chapter reflects a broader commitment to inclusion.

The Magenta Project CEO Victoria Low, who also led the 2019 review, said: “Our sport and the wider marine industry are built on data. Whether you’re racing a boat, designing the next foiling board, or managing a fleet, performance depends on information. But when it comes to the human side – who is included, how we grow, and where we go next – we’ve been working from a single dataset gathered in 2019. 2×25 is about changing that and creating a clearer picture to steer the future of our sector.”

The 2019 review became a catalyst for change across the sport. The new survey revisits those original nine recommendations to assess what has been implemented and where progress has stalled.

2×25 goes further. Alongside gender, the review explores ageism, racism, and ableism, and includes both sailing and the wider marine industry, from STEM education to accessibility and career opportunities onshore.

The study will be globally distributed, and The Magenta Project is aiming to surpass the 4,529 responses gathered in 2019. The survey is available in multiple languages and will be supported by regional focus groups and one-on-one interviews to capture lived experiences in greater depth.

Participation is open to all: athletes, coaches, officials, marine professionals and industry workers of all genders.

Low added: “We can’t fix what we don’t measure. If we want sailing and the marine industry to stay relevant and reflect the society it hopes to serve, we need everyone’s voice. Whether you’re on the water or behind the scenes, this is your chance to shape the future of our sport.”

Jeremy Pochman, CEO and Co-Founder of 11th Hour Racing, said: “True progress starts with honest reflection. We’re proud to support The Magenta Project’s 2×25 review – a much-needed initiative to gather real data and lived experiences from across sailing and the marine industry. At 11th Hour Racing, we believe our future is inseparable from the sea – and that building a healthy, inclusive culture is essential to ensuring a resilient ocean.”

Alexandra Rickham, Director of Sustainability at World Sailing, added: “World Sailing has led the implementation of many of the recommendations the 2019 review made for the sector so we welcome The Magenta Project’s 2×25 review as a timely opportunity to provide fresh insights. Having robust, independent research is essential to understanding where gaps remain and ensuring everyone in our sport shares responsibility for how we close them together. Equity and inclusion are essential components of World Sailing’s strategy, Ready for the Future, and this piece of research will support some of our work to deliver measurable social impact for the global sailing community.”

By building on the data, methodology, and best practices from 2019, 2×25 aims to provide a refreshed baseline and actionable roadmap for long-term equity and inclusion across sailing and the marine industry.

It reflects the growing momentum across global sport to tackle inequity through data, transparency, and collective leadership.

Complete the survey and learn more here.