South African single-handed sailor Kirsten Neuschäfer, who will contest the 2022 Golden Globe (GGR) non-stop solo race, will present a public talk at the Gordon’s Bay Yacht Club (GBYC) on Thursday 31 March. It also will feature a dinner and wine auction, with all proceeds going to her challenge.
The GGR is a re-creation of the famous Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, held in 1968-1969. Starting in September, entrants will sail solo around the world from Les Sables-d’Olonne, rounding the three Great Capes—the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin, and Cape Horn—alone, non-stop, and unassisted.
The GGR is a nod to the golden age of single-handed ocean sailing, with entrants relying on celestial navigation and sailing traditionally built yachts.
The original Golden Globe Race featured sailing legends such as Nigel Tetley and Chay Blyth, and was won by Robin Knox-Johnston on Suhaili (who was the only entrant who finished). The race also cemented the almost-mythical status of Frenchman Bernard Moitessier, who withdrew his boat Joshua from the race after rounding the three great Capes, only to make another half-circumnavigation to “save his soul”.
Neuschäfer will become the first woman to take part, sailing her 36-ft Suhaili-class cutter, Minnehaha. She is no stranger to extreme solo adventures, having bicycled alone from Europe to South Africa over the course of a year when she was 22 years old – a trip of approximately 15 000 km.
Among her many professional engagements, Neuschäfer has spent plenty of time in the Southern Ocean. Working for Skip Novak’s Pelagic Expeditions, she has visited South Georgia, the Antarctic Peninsula, Patagonia and the Falklands. She has worked with scientists and film crews, and was featured in the National Geographic series Wild Life Resurrection Island with Bertie Gregory and supported the BBC production Seven Worlds, One Planet, which filmed leopard seals hunting gentoo penguins and documented albatrosses’ behaviour. She has sailed alone from Portugal to South Africa.
Says GBYC Commodore Jana Loubser: “Kirsten is an inspiration to women sailors throughout the world. GBYC is also proud to partner with Strand Rotary on this event.” It is open to the public at R100 pp. A meal will be served and drinks are available at the bar. Contact GBYC manager Eleonore Bondesio at gbyc@gbyc.co.za or on 021 856 3263 to book.
