SA woman WINS round the world Golden Globe race – Kirsten Neuschäfer

South African sailer Kirsten Neuschäfer has WON the Golden Globe race around the world, making history as the first woman sailor to win single-handed race around the world!

Golden Globe Race said: « Kirsten Neuschäfer (39) / South Africa / Cape George 36 – “MINNEHAHA” officially became the first woman to win a round the world race by the three great capes, including solo and fully crewed races, non-stop or with stops, and the first South African sailor to win a round-the-world event! »

Kirsten, from Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), has been making South Africans on social media proud as she approached the finish line, unaware that she was leading.

PE resident Antonie Lintvelt said « to give perspective on what an amazing achievement this is, the Golden Globe Race is a single handed race around the world, in a sail boat no longer than 36 ft, no GPS, no sat phone, no engine, no radio contact with anyone accept officials, no stopping anywhere. »

Antonie, who is a huge sailing fan and raised awareness about Kirsten’s achievement, told SAPeople: “She even came to talk to our sailors a few months before the race… I think she deserved everybody’s support, flying the SA flag high. One of the first things she did when she arrived there was lifting her SA flag and telling people it’s Freedom day. What a great patriot. ❤️??”

Kirsten not only won, but also diverted at one stage to rescue another sailor! Charry Couzyn said: «  She went out of her way to rescue one of the other contestants Tapio Lehtinen when his boat sank off Cape Town. »

Antonie wrote on Facebook: « This should be a headline story in all the newspapers around the world. Go Kirsten Neuschäfer!!!! You are amazing!!! I can show my daughter your achievement, and prove to her, there is nothing a woman can’t do if she wants to do it badly enough. Thank you for your example. ????⛵️?❤️ »

Gauteng publicist Georg Knoke said: « Congratulations ?! What an amazing achievement! What an amazing South African ?! »

Johann Abrie wrote: « South African sailor Kirsten Neuschäfer (39) officially became the first woman to win a round the world race by the three great capes, including solo & fully crewed races, non-stop or with stops, & the first South African sailor to ever win a round-the-world event!

« This competition demands immense skill, courage and perseverance for having to sail more than 30 000 nautical miles non-stop around the world, only you in the boat.

»She was at sea for 9 months, never touching land, crossing 3 Great Capes, complete circumnavigation, no GPS, no radio andno engine on her boat, only the wind. »

Johann said: « Kirsten is from Port Elizabeth and also the recipient of the Rod Stephens Seamanship Trophy for rescuing of a fellow Golden Globe Race competitor, Tapio Lehtinen.

Charry says the rules of the race are very simple: Depart from Les Sables-d’Olonne, France on September 4th, 2022 and sail solo, non-stop around the world, via the five Great Capes and return to Les Sables-d’Olonn unassisted and without stopping in any ports. Competitors must sail in production boats between 32ft and 36ft overall (9.75 – 10.97m) designed prior to 1988 and sail without modern technology or the benefit of satellite-based navigation aids.

Of the 16 entries there were only three left in the main race.

As Johann says: « This country has such flippen’ amazing people. »