Interview with Helena Scutt - Part Two
In the first installment of this two-part interview, we delved into Helena Scutt’s remarkable journey from youth sailor to Olympian. Helena candidly shares the highs and lows of competing at the highest level, the challenges of finding purpose after the intensity of Olympic campaigning, and how her collegiate experience shaped her both personally and professionally.
With a degree in engineering and a passion for breaking barriers, Helena’s story is as much about resilience as it is about achievement. If you’re curious about the drive and determination it takes to balance elite-level athletics with academic success, Part One is a must-read. part one interview
In the second installment of this captivating interview, we explore Helena Scutt’s transition from Olympian to professional engineer and America’s Cup innovator. Helena discusses the unique challenges of navigating male-dominated spaces in both sailing and engineering, the importance of mentorship, and her work promoting diversity and inclusion in high-performance sailing.
Interview with Helena Scutt: Inside the Laylines Part Two
On Challenges in Male-Dominated Fields
John: What challenges have you faced as a woman in the male-dominated career paths of sailing and engineering?
Helena: The main challenge has been believing in myself, especially when few people like you are doing what you want to pursue. When you see others who share your background or identity excelling in those spaces, it’s much easier to envision yourself succeeding, too. Without that representation, self-doubt can creep in.
Over time, I’ve learned I’m just as capable, but that belief fluctuates depending on the environment and circumstances. Another challenge is dealing with stereotypes. Sometimes, people don’t recognize their own biases, which can lead to missed opportunities—for them, not just for me. It’s their loss if they fail to see beyond those biases.
John: Sailing has traditionally been a male-dominated sport, but opportunities for women are expanding, driven by initiatives like the Olympics' 50/50 male-to-female participation mandate and SailGP's requirement for female team members. On the engineering side, you had Dr. Sheri Sheppard as a mentor at Stanford, a trailblazer in engineering education and research. Could you discuss her influence on your journey and other notable progress in advancing women’s participation in engineering?
Helena: Yes, Dr. Sheri Shepherd was one of my professors at Stanford, and she’s been a huge influence. She’s done incredible work in engineering education research and opened my eyes to the broader challenges women face in STEM fields. During the summer after my sophomore year, I worked with her on a research project about gender dynamics in the engineering education pipeline. It was fascinating and very personally relevant because I was beginning my journey as an engineering student. It gave me much insight into systemic issues and how to navigate them.
Dr. Sheppard has been a trailblazer in promoting diversity and inclusion in engineering. She emphasizes the importance of considering societal context and social aspects in engineering problem-solving
Her research focuses on two main areas: engineering education and the study of how people become engineers. Her work has been instrumental in understanding and addressing the challenges faced by women and underrepresented groups in engineering.
Promoting Women in Sailing
John: You’ve also been involved in initiatives to increase women’s participation in sailing. Can you share more about that?
Helena: In April 2022, I organized a clinic to introduce women to foiling on Moths. We had 17 women and seven boats, and everyone got foiling over the weekend. It was such a success—several participants went on to buy Moths of their own. That weekend left me on such a high. It confirmed something I’d always believed: if you give women opportunities, they will absolutely seize them.
It also reinforced the importance of creating spaces in sailing where women can network and share experiences. Men often benefit from informal networks and friendships, which naturally lead to opportunities in the sailing industry and beyound—whether it’s discussing boat setup or professional connections. Women need to be more proactive about seeking out those networks because they aren’t as organically available to us. I’d love to see that change.
John: That’s fantastic. You also mentioned informal networking among men and how women sometimes miss out on those opportunities. Can you expand on that thought?
Helena: Exactly, yes. A lot of opportunities in sailing come from casual conversations or friendships, which men often have more access to because of the demographics. For example, I’ve noticed that young boys usually get chances to try fast boats through their peer networks. If they make a mistake, it’s seen as them “sending it” or pushing limits. The same mistake might be interpreted as carelessness or lack of skill for girls.
We're often socialized to prioritize being cautious and striving for perfection rather than embracing bravery and experimentation. This dynamic isn't unique to sailing—it reflects broader societal norms. In sailing, boys often benefit from more informal learning opportunities, like experimenting with fast boats or receiving casual advice from peers. These experiences accelerate skill development and confidence. I'm deeply passionate about changing this dynamic and creating similar opportunities for girls.
Dr. Sheppard may have inspired Helena with her emphasis on fostering "tempered radicals"—leaders who drive meaningful change while staying embedded within their organizations. These leaders adopt a strategic and often nuanced approach, introducing innovative ideas and challenging the status quo in ways that foster collaboration rather than alienation. By striking this balance, they can effect gradual, sustainable transformation from within the system, avoiding direct confrontation or external pressure that could disrupt their influence or relationships.
Engineering and Sailing Intersection
John: As someone excelling in both competitive sailing and engineering, what advice would you give to young girls aspiring to pursue careers in STEM fields or high-performance sports?
Helena: Build things! Even if it’s not directly related to your field, you learn so much by working with your hands. I think traditional education focuses heavily on theoretical knowledge, but there’s incredible value in practical experience. For example, helping my dad with car projects or doing boat work gave me a strong foundation for my engineering career.
I’d also say to be intentional about seeking out mentors. It doesn’t matter if they’re not in your field—just having someone to guide you and share their experiences is invaluable. Most importantly, follow your curiosity. Don’t let fear keep you from exploring new opportunities or challenging yourself. Life is unpredictable, and being adaptable opens doors you didn’t even know existed.
Mechatronics in the America’s Cup
John: Can you describe some multidisciplinary projects you’ve worked on that utilized your mechatronics background?
Helena: Mechatronics combines mechanical engineering, electronics, and software programming. It’s a highly interdisciplinary field. I worked on the sailors' controllers for the America's Cup—the devices they hold to control the boat. Designing these involved understanding the roles on board, software integration, and human interfaces.
I also collaborated with the simulator team, which was another fascinating aspect. The simulator allowed us to test and refine the systems without needing to be on the water, which was invaluable. Unfortunately, many of the details are confidential, but the work was incredibly rewarding.
John: What about your consulting role?
Helena: At Synapse, I worked on projects like an in-home fitness product involving motors and actuators and a wearable device, the challenge of which was miniaturization. Confidentiality limits what I can share, but the work was incredibly diverse and engaging. It gave me a strong foundation that I’ve carried into my work with American Magic.
One of the products Helena worked on at Synapse was awarded one of Time's Best Inventions of 2023
Joining American Magic
John: How did your journey with American Magic begin?
Helena: Scott Ferguson contacted me during the 2021 Moth Worlds as he formed the design team. At first, I didn’t feel ready to make a big transition. Riley Schutt, head of R&D for the U.S. Sailing Team, followed up multiple times, and by the third time, I felt ready. Moving to Barcelona was a big decision, but I’m glad I took the leap.
Editor’s note: It’s fascinating to reflect on what Helena mentioned about biases acting as limitations for women, particularly in how boys are often encouraged to "send it"—to take risks and embrace challenges head-on. Helena’s decision not to jump into a role she wasn’t ready for at first glance could be interpreted through the lens of internalized bias. However, it also highlights an incredibly thoughtful and mature approach to career planning. Recognizing her readiness—or lack thereof—was a sign of self-awareness and wisdom, not hesitation. By ensuring she was fully prepared before taking on such a significant position, Helena demonstrated a level of foresight and strategic thinking that ultimately positioned her to excel when the timing and circumstances aligned. It’s a great reminder that knowing when to say no can be just as important as seizing opportunities.
John: Balancing your career and personal life during that time must have been challenging.
Helena: It was. Hans, my now-husband, was full-time Olympic campaigning, so we weren’t living together. Planning our wedding and navigating major life events like his injury in SailGP added to the complexity, but we supported each other through it all.
The Role of AI and Technology in Sailing
John: How do you see competitive sailing evolving with advancements in AI, biomechanical engineering, and LIDAR?
Helena: It’s about extracting the best performance from the boat. The intersection of human and machine performance is fascinating. For example, in the America’s Cup, we focus on creating consistent, repeatable systems that work seamlessly with sailor input. I’m excited to see how these technologies continue to shape the sport.
Women in the America’s Cup
John: You were part of the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup. What was that experience like?
Helena: It was an incredible privilege. Sailing the AC40s with an all-women’s team was historic. However, there’s still a long way to go regarding preparation and support. Many teams only had a handful of practice days before competing, which is far from ideal. I hope future events build on this foundation.
John: When do you think we’ll see a woman as an America’s Cup skipper?
Helena: That’s a great question. I think it’s coming. The pathway for young girls aspiring to such roles involves sailing as much as possible, understanding boat design, and leveraging opportunities in Olympic and foiling classes.
Closing Thoughts
John Any final thoughts?
Helena: I am grateful for this platform to share my experiences. Thanks for the opportunity; I’m excited to see where these conversations lead.
John: Perfect. Thanks again, Helena, and good luck with everything ahead!
Final Thoughts
Helena embodies the new wave of women breaking barriers in both sailing and engineering. Her journey and achievements serve as a beacon of inspiration for future generations striving to reach new heights and redefine what’s possible in their fields.
Thank you for this interview. Helene is the type of female role model that I want for my daughter.