Irish offshore sailor Pamela Lee from Greystones, County Wicklow, has christened her new Class 40 racing yacht, #EMPOWHER, in Le Havre, France.
The launch comes ahead of the Transat Café L’OR, one of the world’s most iconic transatlantic yacht races, which begins later this month.
Backed by European ferry operator DFDS, #EMPOWHER promotes sustainability, gender equality, and innovation in modern ocean racing.
Lee and her Californian co-skipper Jay Thompson will compete in the double-handed Class 40 division, sailing 3,750 miles from Le Havre to Fort-de-France, Martinique — retracing the historic “coffee route” between France and the Caribbean.
In May, the duo played a crucial role in the dramatic rescueduo played a crucial role in the dramatic rescue of a fellow competitor during the Normandy Channel Race.
As regular Afloat readers know, Pamela Lee established three world records during a 2020 double-handed circumnavigation of Ireland, including the first all-female record for the route.
She later founded Ripple Racing, an initiative focused on sustainability and female empowerment in offshore sailing.
Lee is also the first graduate of France’s “Cap Pour Elles” programme — which supports women in ocean racing — to lead her own Class 40 campaign internationally.
“#EMPOWHER is about more than just a race — it’s a platform to show what women can achieve at sea,” said Pamela Lee, the only Irish sailor in the race. “I’m proud to carry the Irish flag across the Atlantic and grateful to DFDS for sharing this vision of equality, sustainability, and leadership.”
Looking ahead, Lee has set her sights on the 2026 Route du Rhum, one of the world’s premier solo transatlantic races. She is currently seeking sponsors to support the campaign.
In a symbolic eco-friendly gesture, #EMPOWHER was christened with sea salt instead of champagne, underlining the team’s commitment to ocean protection.
Leading maritime and civic figures, including former French Prime Minister and Le Havre Mayor Édouard Philippe, Irish Ambassador to France Niall Burgess, and DFDS France Managing Director Étienne Melliani, attended the ceremony.
“Pamela Lee is an outstanding ambassador for Ireland and for maritime progress,” said Melliani. “Her energy and determination perfectly reflect DFDS’s values — inclusion, innovation, and sustainability.”
Also present were ENSM Director General François Lambert, sailors Brian Thompson and Karine Fauconnier — sponsors of #EMPOWHER — and Thérèse Boullot, Head of Onboard Sales for DFDS’s Calais–Dover route, who served as honorary godmother.
