| Nationality: | |
| Birth Date: | 6 December 1979 |
| Birth Place: | Kokopo, Papua New Guinea |
| Show-Medals: | true |
| Updated: | 2023-07-18 |
Liz Wardley (born 6 December 1979) is a Papua New Guinean and Australian sailor.[1] [2] She has competed under both nationalities. Wardley started by racing in the Hobie 16 class and is now known as an experienced crew sailor, having taken part in 4 editions of The Ocean Race.
Wardley started her sailing career by racing in the Hobie 16 category, winning a bronze medal at the 1997 World Championship in Sotogrande[3] and a silver medal at the 1998 World Championship in Airlie Beach.[4]
In 1998 she became the youngest female skipper to take part in the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race onboard Dixie Chicken.[5] In 1999 she won the race in the PHS Div 2 class onboard Phillip's Foote[6] [7]
Wardley competed in 4 editions of the Volvo Ocean Race. In 2001-2002 she was part of the all-female crew of Amer Sports Too.[8] In 2014-2015 she was again part of an all-female crew onboard Team SCA.[9] In 2017-2018 she was part of the Turn the Tide on Plastic crew.[10] In 2023 she won as part of the VO65 crew of WindWhisper Racing Team.[11]
In 2009 she won the Fastnet Race onboard the Class40 Initiatives Saveurs - Novedia Group with skipper Tanguy de Lamotte.[12]
She lives in La Forêt-Fouesnant in Finistère, France, and has also lived in Sydney, Australia.
She was named the Papua New Guinean Sportswomen of the Year in 1999 and 2000.[13] [2]