Things got really tough for Kirsten Neuschäfer on the last few nautical miles, as she dragged herself agonisingly slowly over the past few hours towards Les Sables-d'Olonne. The surface of the water was almost as smooth as glass - but then it was done: shortly after 9 pm, her Cape George 36 "Minnehaha" crossed the finish line after more than 235 days at sea.
With Neuschäfer as the winner of the third edition of the Golden Globe Race. In addition to her personal success, the 40-year-old South African with German roots has thus achieved a historic triumph. She was the only female sailor in the entire field to beat the 15 male participants, making her the first woman to win a regatta around the world. Whether single-handed or with a crew, with or without stopovers.
Yann Eliès: "We needed a heroine like this"
Neuschäfer is now earning great respect not only from her fans, but also from numerous professionals from the Imoca class, who will be competing in the Ocean Race are also sailing around the world. The experienced Frenchman Yann Eliès in particular watched the race with great appreciation. The Vendeé Globe participant and three-time Figaro winner is currently part of Team Malizia and is expected to rejoin Boris Herrmann for the fifth leg.
Eliès is delighted with Neuschäfer: "I think it's good that she's winning this race. It's happening at the best time for us that a woman is winning a race around the world. We've needed another heroine like this since Ellen MacArthur."
Neuschäfer writes sailing history
After difficulties at the start of the race, she took the lead from Simon Curwen at the end of January. However, this was only because the latter had to make a stop due to damage after a knockdown and thus retired from the regular race. Neuschäfer then brought her "Minnehaha" round Cape Horn with aplomb in difficult conditions. She was then able to maintain the lead over the Indian Abhilash Tomy until the finish.
It should not be forgotten that Neuschäfer will receive a time credit of 35 hours. Together with Tomy, who will receive 12 hours credit, she was involved in the rescue of the Finn Tapio Lehtinen in the Indian Ocean. His Gaia 36 "Asteria" sank within a very short space of time on 19 November 2022. The Neuschäfer, 105 nautical miles away, changed course to come to his aid, which was ultimately successful. She rescued Lehtinen from his life raft and handed him over to a cargo ship.
Neuschäfer succeeds Knox-Johnston and Van Den Heede
Neuschäfer joins Sir Robin Knox-Johnston (GBR) and Jean-Luc Van Den Heede (FRA) on the list of winners of the regatta. In second place, Abhilash Tomy is expected to reach the finish line soon. In third place is the Austrian Michael Guggenberger.
Once the participants have crossed the finish line, they are towed into the canal and can enjoy the welcome of the inhabitants of Les Sables, which takes them to Port Olona. There they moor at the dock of the Vendée Globe, where they are welcomed by Yannick Moreau, the mayor of Les Sables-d'Olonne, Don McIntyre, the founder and chairman of the Golden Globe Race, Jean Luc Van Den Heede, the 2018 winner, the media and the public.
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Countless tasks: Only three starters left in the Golden Globe Race classification
This edition of the Golden Globe Race is the third, or more precisely the second of the modern era. In 1968/69, the first ever solo non-stop race around the world was sailed, the "Sunday Times Golden Globe Race". For the anniversary 50 years later, a solo non-stop regatta around the world was to take place again - at least that's what Don McIntyre had in mind. His event motto: "The Race returns - sailing like it's 1968". When the enterprising Australian circumnavigator and initiator of adventurous sailing events announced his idea, it met with a great response. Skippers from all over the world registered for the 2018 Golden Globe Revival.
17 eventually crossed the starting line off the harbour town of Les Sables-d'Olonne, only five reached the finish line. A total of 16 participants took part in the current edition on 4 September 2022, but there are currently only two sailors left in the race behind Neuschäfer: Tomy and Guggenberger. In addition, two other participants are sailing to the end of the regatta outside the classification due to stopovers - one of them has already crossed the finish line. He finished ahead of Kirsten Neuschäfer, but Simon Curwen still didn't win. Or at least only the "Chichester Class" created especially for cases of this kind.
Golden Globe Race: These specifications characterise the retro regatta
Although the yachts used for sailing are one of the main reasons for the numerous breakdowns and accidents, they are what make the Golden Globe Race so attractive. Only series-produced cruising yachts with a long keel that were built before 1988 and are between 32 and 36 feet long are permitted.
With the specifications for the boats, the organiser wants to reflect the spirit of the times of the former Golden Globe Race. The permitted equipment on board and the rules are intended to be reminiscent of 1968 and manifest the character of a retro regatta.
Navigation without electronic aids
No electronic aids to navigation may be used. As in the past, navigation is carried out using paper charts and a sextant, a towed log and a compass. Communication is also rudimentary compared to today's offshore regattas: it takes place solely via radio. Epirb and satellite phones are only on board for emergencies and to communicate with the organiser.
The course of the Golden Globe Race 2022, what has happened so far:
- Golden Globe Update 20: High tension for the final - Neuschäfer attacks
- Golden Globe Update 19: Dramatic distress at sea - skipper rescued
- Golden Globe Update 18: Kirsten Neuschäfer's lead has melted away considerably
- Golden Globe Update 17: "Too hard - physically and emotionally exhausted"
- Golden Globe Update 16: Six months non-stop at sea!
- Golden Globe Update 15: Kirsten Neuschäfer is the first to round Cape Horn
- Golden Globe Update 14: Storms, breaches and capsizes in the South Pacific
- Golden Globe Update 13: Knockdown knocks Simon Curwen out of the running
- Golden Globe Update 12: Chasers pass the Hobart stopover
- Golden Globe Update 11: Simon Curwen reaches Hobart first
- Golden Globe Update 10: Bowsprit breakage and vegetation slow down sailors
- Golden Globe Update 9: Why it sank " Asteria " ?
- Golden Globe Update 8: Neuschäfer rescues Lehtinen from distress at sea
- Golden Globe Update 7: Emotional moments off Cape Town
- Golden Globe Update 6: Cape Town in the wake, Neuschäfer in second place
- Golden Globe Update 5: New breach on board the "PRB"
- Golden Globe Update 4: Three new videos from the high seas
- Golden Globe Update 3: Sailors reach first media stop
- Golden Globe Update 2: Shipwreck at Guy de Boer in the Canary Islands
- Golden Globe Update 1: Break, comeback and the first task
