A TEAM of Hampshire fire service women made waves with their debut entry in the United Kingdom Firefighters Sailing Challenge - walking away with a win.

The crew of HFRS Magenta, made up of representatives from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, came first out of all fire service boats and second overall in the Solent-based regatta.

The team was backed by the Magenta Project, a worldwide movement to encourage and develop female sailing at all levels, and was joined by round the world yachtswoman Libby Greenhalgh, Paralympic gold medallist Helena Lucas and solo sailor Mary Rook for the event.

“We are so proud of our first all female crew, just by taking part they epitomise what inclusion and diversity is all about, but to win is just incredible," said Leanne Illman, inclusion and diversity manager at HFRS.

“We want our female staff to feel empowered and to believe there are no limits to what they can accomplish, and the HFRS Magenta crew are a shining example of just that."