South African Kirsten Neuschäfer, the only woman in the Golden Globe, recently completed her GGR refit in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, and is about to arrive home in Cape Town after an 8,000-mile solo non-stop sea trail, before heading 6,600 miles back to France.
Kirsten is a professional sailor, with over 200,000 miles of ocean experience, working with Skip Novak in remote, often hostile places in the Arctic and Antarctic. She chose the Cape George 36 design due to its long waterline, stability, seaworthiness, and generous rig. She discovered one in Canada. She had planned to bring the boat to Maine (U.S.) for refit, but Covid restrictions made that trip impossible. By chance, she found incredible support from the Prince Edward Island community, including local tradesman Eddie Arsenault, who managed the refit, rebuilding "Minnehaha” 100% for the gruelling race ahead.
"I came as an outsider to Prince Edward Island. From the moment I arrived, I've only been treated with such kindness and generosity." said Kirsten "People in the community have taken a genuine interest in this project."
With the one-year refit completed, she set sail towards South Africa in early December 2021, crossing the Equator just before the New Year, then rounding Trindade Island to port and sailing the GGR 2022 course towards her homeport of Cape Town. This 8,000-mile voyage brings immense knowledge of her boat and huge gratitude in her heart, for her new friends in Canada.
Kirsten will arrive in Cape Town in the next few days and stop for just a few weeks to say “HI!” to family, friends and to check on sponsors with her team. She then sets sail on another solo, non-stop, 6,500 miles voyage, to the start in Les Sables d'Olonne, France. Kirsten will be a sailor to watch! She is at one with the ocean, as was Jean Luc VDH, winner of the 2018 GGR.
Mark Sinclair
Australian Oceanographer Mark Sinclair is about to round Cape Horn sailing his Lello 34 "Coconut" halfway around the world, in order to finish his 2018 GGR. He set sail from Adelaide on December 5th 2021, bound for Les Sables d'Olonne, officially re-joining the GGR 2018 edition. Previously, he had to stop in Adelaide after completing only half the Race. The 2018 GGR had no finishing time, and Mark only made the one-stop, so can re-join under the “Chichester Class”. Mark has also entered the 2022 Golden Globe, so this return voyage adds a wealth of Southern Ocean experience and also brings him and his boat to the start of this third edition. He will be a strong contender to finish the 2022 edition.
Mark Sinclair sailing through Hobart Gate before heading for Cape Horn. Picture Credit: John Tisdell
"I am first and foremost a mariner, so my number one objective is not to be rescued and get around under my own power." said Mark Sinclair "I will be more competitive in the next Golden Globe, having built huge experience and faith in my trusty little ‘Coconut’."
As Afloat reported earlier, Ireland's Pat Lawless will be on the start line this year with support from Killaloe Sailing Club on Lough Derg
