Irene McNeill

The only female International Race Officer in Canada since 2012, Irene McNeill has been a ground breaking female race official. Her presence within the arenas of the Canadian and International Race environment has made the sport accountable for the lack of female participants both as racers and as officials. Irene began sailing after graduating from university. Starting in keelboats and then catamarans, she crewed for many years. As a racing sailor, she wanted to know how sailboat races were conducted which began her officiating career. Being a founding member of Leapsailing has enabled Irene’s vision for equity to be a reality.