BY Nkosazana Ngwadla
South African yachtswoman Kirsten Neuschäfer has become the first woman to win the Golden Globe Race.
She made history by sailing back into starting port Les Sables d’Olonne, France after spending 233 days, 20 hours, 43 minutes and 47 seconds at sea, completing an east-about circumnavigation.
The Golden Globe is no average sailing race, where modern circumnavigation races like the Vendee Globe, BOC Challenge, and Whitbread Round-the World involve expensive, high-tech boats that race at high speeds and can evoke an elitist image of sail racing, the Golden Globe has only been held three times, and hearkens back to a simpler era.
The original race was run in 1968 when nine men vied to be the first to sail solo, without stopping, around the world. No one even knew if a boat could survive 30,000 miles straight at sea, or what might happen to the mind of a sailor alone for so long.
Only five of the original 16 contestants were still in the race on Thursday, with Kirsten second across the finish line — but first to do so without assistance, making her the overall winner. She finished just ahead of the second-placed skipper who was due in early on Friday morning.
Royal Cape Yacht Club commodore Neil Gregory said Neuschafer’s victory required immense stamina and endurance.
