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Gay sailors make waves at Cowes

Members of GUST are dedicated to maintaining England's sailing reputation

COWES, England (CNN) -- The first gay sailing team to enter Skandia Life Cowes Week has stolen the spotlight of Europe's longest running and most famous regatta.

The Gay UK Sailing Team (GUST) -- formed to represent the UK in the 2002 Gay Games in Sydney, Australia -- made its debut in Poussin, a 23-foot Hunter 707 yacht.

GUST spokesman Paul White told CNN: "It's time there was acknowledgement that there are gay people in all walks of life, and sailing is one of them.

"There is some degree of prejudice against gay people in the sailing world, and we hope to break down some barriers. We don't bite."

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Though raising gay and lesbian awareness is important to the team, its members are dedicated to sailing and want to maintain England's long history of successful sailing records.

GUST hired Olympic coach Cathy Foster to get it ready for the Gay Games, held every four years in November with more than 14,000 entrants. The team has been practicing every weekend since February this year.

But sailing is an expensive sport -- training preparations for the Gay Games alone are expected to cost $46,000 (£30,000) -- and GUST admits it "came out" at Cowes to advertise for sponsorship.

"Sailing has room for more sponsors, and sails make great floating billboards," White said.

Three of GUST's 30 members aboard the sailboat Elliott

The club, founded by members of the 350-strong Sailing and Cruising Association, currently has 30 members. Heterosexual supporters are invited to join.

"What you get with us that you don't get with straight teams is that you can compete and also be complete in your sailing and personal life," White said.

White, who said other Cowes sailors had reacted positively or were neutral, likened GUST to all-female sailing crews in that they had proved they could hold their own against all-male crews but at the same time enjoyed a sense of familiarity.

"Someone came to me here from an all-female team and said she was bisexual but hadn't felt comfortable saying so before," he said. "That is an indication to me as to why there is a need for a gay team."

Cowes Week, first held in 1826, is an international event with more than 245 races over eight days. It is open to amateur sailors as well as Olympic and world champions.

For more information on Cowes Week watch CNN's Inside Sailing (Program times)