Sailing since she was 10 months old, Nic Douglass, known as The Sailor Girl, is the ubiquitous force in yachting media – covering sailing all over the world, promoting it and competing when her schedule allows.
The proud owner of a 6.51-metre Highfield Patrol 660, fully-equipped with her high-tech AV gear, Nic has been enjoying the boost to her team’s mobility and presence on the water.
“We added quite a bit of AV equipment in partnership with Shure, RGB-Link and ClearCom, which is completely removable so that the boat can function with or without it,” she reports. “The Patrol takes care of everything with ease, and aside from the specialist gear, it was spot on out of the factory.”
At 6.51-metres (21’4”), with a beam of 2.59-metres (8’6”), the Highfield Patrol 660 can carry 1,287kgs, rated for up to 13 people (and a couple of dogs!) with a 140 litre fuel tank and maximum 200hp. The 26-degree deadrise hull keeps the boat stable and steady and the passengers dry.
So far this year, Nic and The Sailor Girl team, which varies from Nic solo, to her and her partner, Andrew, videographers, photographers, and co-commentators, have been on-site for the finish of the Rolex Sydney Hobart, then to Melbourne for a series of regattas including the VX One Nationals and Festival of Sails, coverage of the four events in the TP52 Australia Pallas Capital Gold Cup from the CYCA, Newcastle, Port Stephens and RPAYC.
And the rest of 2024 is just as crammed, covering SailGP in New York, Newport Bermuda Race, back home for the Hamilton Island Race Week, then off to France for the Paris Olympic Games, and then the top-tier event that attracts the international sailing fraternity and fans, the 37th Louis Vuitton America’s Cup in Barcelona.
Celebrating 10 years heading Sunset Media and Sailor Girl full-time, Nic’s mission has not wavered. “I set out to help sailing by covering regattas in new ways, combining my background in PR with social media and grass roots live coverage. Working with clubs, there are obviously limited resources, and sometimes I would either be sharing, or left with the less desirable boat – which is not always the best for getting the best shots, or even staying dry.
“I was commentating for the ABC for the Invictus Games in 2018 when I first noticed the Highfield brand. Their boats are incredibly efficient and a dream offshore.”
Nic says her Highfield Patrol 660, known as SGHQ01 and dubbed “Ribbit”, has raised her coverage capabilities to the next level.
“With the Highfield as our platform, not only can we be more flexible and more equipped, we are faster, safer and can be super consistent with what we are able to deliver,” she states.
“This makes the product that we can provide, for sailing events, brands and teams even better. We have now tested it in some trying conditions, and we can say that the robustness and drivability make the long days so much more manageable, and enjoyable.”
SGHQ01 will be on show at the Sydney Boat Show, 1 to 4 August, among the Highfield display from MarineCo Group.
“In August, we’ll be making the northern pilgrimage to Hamilton Island Race Week, in between the Paris Olympics and America’s Cup. Our Highfield will then have a big summer, with all of the VX One events, the Sydney Hobart, TP52s, Etchells Worlds from Brighton, Festival of Sails in Geelong, and a number of other events.”
It’s exhilarating and often exhausting, but that’s the way she likes it.
“In 2026, with Games and no Cup, we will be able to focus a lot more locally – and I can’t wait for that!”
Until then, Nic The Sailor Girl Douglass and her crew are enjoying putting their Highfield Patrol 660 to work.
“It’s my ‘on-water office’ – our support boat, media boat and broadcast boat all in one. We managed to put it all together thanks to Highfield, Jands and Mercury, and I am so thankful and excited that we can take the adventures to the next level! It is such a weapon!
“Our mission to encourage more people to get out on the water is much more realistic now, thanks to our Highfield platform. I honestly love her.”
