The Golden Globe Race is widely recognized as one of the most challenging endurance tests in the sailing world, attracting only the most skilled and resilient sailors from around the globe. Despite facing 233 days of daunting obstacles and unpredictable challenges, one sailor emerged as the ultimate victor.
Kirsten Neuschäfer, hailing from South Africa, made history by winning the 22/23 Golden Globe Race and becoming the first woman to win a solo round-the-world race. On Saturday, April 27, 2023, she sailed to victory in Les Sables-d'Olonne, France, where she had embarked on her journey 233 days earlier. Throughout her adventure, Kirsten navigated her 36-foot Cape George cutter Minnehaha across approximately 30,000 miles of treacherous ocean. Notably, she assisted in the rescue of fellow sailor Tapio Lehtinen and was the first to round Cape Horn, cementing her status as a true sailing pioneer.
Read more about Kirsten Neuschäfer's victory in this article from SAIL Magazine.
Watch the official video of Kirsten Neuschäfer's victory, below.