SA sailor in disbelief after World Sailing Awards nomination

Jaca made history at the beginning of the year when she was part of the first all-female crew to win the around-the-world Ocean Globe Race, also being the first African black woman to do so. 

The KwaMashu-born sailor and her crew raced around the world in 153 days, two hours, 16 minutes and 53 seconds. 

Speaking to SABC Sport, Jaca says she’s thrilled by her nomination.

“Unbelievable, I look at the nomination list every morning just to see if it really is me, they didn’t make a mistake. I don’t even have the words to explain the excitement and how grateful I am to be nominated," said Jaca.

"It’s not just any nomination but the World Sailing Awards. The nomination on its own feels like a win for me. I wish my parents were still alive to witness this."

Jaca, who fell in love with sailing when she was still in high school, having been introduced to the sport by a non-profit organisation called Sail Africa. 

Statistics South Africa recently released the latest stats on youth unemployment being at 45%, and the 25-year-old – like many of her peers – is amongst those without a stable job, and her focus is to work in the sailing industry.

"I’ve been trying to get myself back to being a normal land person [laughs]. It has been quite challenging. I've sailed the Vasco da Gama Race, MSC and Tuzi Tekwini race, but I have been struggling to get myself employed as I don’t have a source of income," she noted.

"But I’m still trying to work my way to getting more opportunities in the industry."

She believes through hard work she still has a lot to achieve in the industry, and hopes girls who also want to be in the sailing industry will follow in her footsteps.

“Believe in yourself. Grab every opportunity as you never know what the future holds, it might be your breakthrough. Don’t be scared to do something different, it is good to give yourself a challenge. 

"You are capable of achieving greatness don’t let the negative energy get to you. It is possible black child," Jaca concluded.

READ: Vuyisile Jaca reflects on making history on global stage