By Emma Rosenbaum & Marianna Fleischman
Table of contents
Welcome to Spite Sailing.
So here’s what people often ask us: Why “Spite”? Who are you in spite of? What does “shorthanded” mean? And what exactly is offshore racing?
Here’s the breakdown:
What We Mean by “Spite”
We’re not in spite of anyone. We’re in spite of the odds. Competitive offshore racing has many barriers including access, funds, and opportunity. Our mission is to be part of the solution, creating leadership roles for women in offshore racing. At the same time, we are prioritizing joy, community, and high-level performance.
Shorthanded Offshore Racing Explained
We aren’t just going offshore, we’re going shorthanded. While most boats racing offshore carry a crew of 6–10, we’re tackling the Bermuda 1-2, sailing solo from Newport to Bermuda, then doublehanded on the return. It’s offshore racing stripped to its core. It’s the ultimate test of versatility, requiring us to be the navigator, the bowman, and the helm all at once, 24/7.
You might think we are crazy. And rightfully so. But we are two women chasing the adventure of a lifetime, guided by a North Star: learning, growing, and creating opportunities for ourselves and others along the way.
How It All Began
It started with a dream. One night, I dreamed I was sailing offshore, alone on deck, with Marianna below. The dream did not feel symbolic. It felt instructive. It was something that had to happen. I pitched the idea to Marianna at Pusser’s in Baltimore and just like that, Spite Sailing was born.
Since then, we have built everything from the ground up including a website, slide decks, social media accounts, training plans, business proposals, and even a bank account. Over the last six months, many of you have guided us, nudged us, and shared ideas, helping shape the campaign at every step. Every thought, insight, and suggestion has been gratefully received and implemented.
Why This Matters
I serve as the Director of Operations at the Downtown Sailing Center (DSC) in Baltimore. Recently, I interviewed Baltimore City high school students for our workforce development program, where young people learn to sail, develop job skills, and explore real career pathways in the maritime world.
Each student shared their dreams with me.
At first, they were nervous. Being interviewed can make anyone feel like they need to have the “right” answers. But as the conversation unfolded and I shared some of my own sailing experiences, they began to open up. What they expressed was powerful and consistent. They valued the DSC because they saw diversity and representation. They saw people who looked like them on the water. They saw a place where they could grow, stretch, and build confidence.
One student described watching his first sunset from the deck of a boat in Asia. He spoke about the cool breeze on his face and the deep sense of calm that settled over him in that moment. Another shared her dream of taking her JROTC experience to the Naval Academy’s Offshore Sailing Team, a pathway that could carry her to places she has always imagined traveling to, like Newport and Bermuda.
As I listened, I saw so much of Marianna and myself in their stories.
We both got a taste of the water and wanted more.
More access.
More adventure.
More opportunities.
More community.
Creating “More”
Spite Sailing is about creating that “more.”
It is for us, and for the women who will come after us. A platform to compete at the highest level. A place to learn alongside peers. A proving ground to expand comfort zones and redefine what is possible.
Some of the students I met today may one day step onto our boat. We intend to make that possible.
We are thrilled to have you along for the journey. Stay tuned, stay curious, and stay inspired, there is so much more to come.
About the Author
Emma Rosenbaum and Marianna Fleischman are the co-founders of Spite Sailing, a women-led shorthanded offshore racing campaign. They will be campaigning Classe Mini RG 650 #837, which previously raced in the Mini Transat under Peter Gibbons-Neff’s campaign. Together, they are preparing to compete in the Bermuda 1-2, sailing solo from Newport to Bermuda and doublehanded on the return. Their mission is to expand leadership roles for women in offshore racing while prioritizing joy, community, and high-level performance. Through Spite Sailing, they aim to create greater access and opportunity for the next generation of offshore sailors.
Join The Discussion
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What does “creating more” mean to you in sailing?
Spite Sailing is about expanding access, leadership, and opportunity in offshore racing. Read more about Emma Rosenbaum and Marianna Fleischman’s campaign in Welcome to Spite Sailing: Two Women, One Mini, and a Mission to Redefine Offshore Racing: https://americansailing.com/articles/welcome-to-spite-sailing/
americansailing.com
Welcome to Spite Sailing follows two women racing offshore shorthanded in pursuit of leadership, access, and adventure.
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