Pam Lee Back Racing After Baltimore Engine Repairs

13th July 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Back On Course – Ireland's Pam Lee has resumed racing in the Drheam-Cup after emergency engine repairs in Baltimore allowed her to continue her Route du Rhum qualifying campaign Credit: Pamela Lee

Ireland's Pam Lee is back racing in the Drheam-Cup after emergency engine repairs in Baltimore, Co Cork, enabled the Class40 skipper to resume her Route du Rhum qualifying campaign.

Lee diverted to Baltimore after her Pogo S4 EmpowHer suffered engine problems shortly after Saturday's start from Cherbourg. The flooded engine left her unable to recharge her batteries, forcing an unscheduled stop for repairs.

Following work in Baltimore, Lee confirmed the problem had been resolved and she had rejoined the race.

"We successfully dealt with the engine, so I'm off again," she said in an update.

Lee said she was approaching Fastnet Rock once more after her diversion and was preparing for stronger conditions forecast on the southbound leg.

"I'm just going to go past the Fastnet for the third time in 24 hours," she said. "It's supposed to be still very windy on the way down, so I have the small sail up in preparation."

The Drheam-Cup is one of the recognised qualifying races for the 2026 Route du Rhum transatlantic race.

Summing up the significance of getting back underway, Lee concluded: "Here we go. Route du Rhum qualification."

Published in Pamela Lee, Class40

Published in Pamela Lee

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Pamela Lee

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About Pamela Lee, Irish Offshore Sailor

Ireland has produced some of the world’s most dedicated offshore sailors, and Pamela Lee of Greystones is one of them. She has made a name for herself in the sailing world, having worked as a mate on a charter Super-yacht for two and a half years. After coming ashore, she has been fully committed to her offshore sailing ambitions since 2019.

Lee has raced in various craft, including Figaro 3s, Class 40, Tp 52s, and multihulls, and has eight transatlantic crossings under her belt. In partnership with Kenny Rumball, Lee supported Rumball’s La Solitaire du Figaro sailing campaign to secure the Irish berth in the proposed Mixed Offshore Keelboat event for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

One of Lee’s stated main aims is to promote female empowerment in sport, and she set out to establish a double-handed Round Ireland speed record with Englishwoman Cat Hunt in the winter of 2020. This campaign gained much publicity, and Lee expressed pride in bringing sailing and offshore sailing, in particular, into the conversation for 2020.

To further her offshore sailing career, Lee moved to France, where she has recently secured a place to skipper a yacht in the Transat Jacques Vabre Challenge in October 2023. Lee’s passion and dedication to offshore sailing are inspiring, and her achievements are a testament to her hard work and perseverance.