Golden Globe Race: Kirsten Neuschäfer, the only female sailor in the race

Kristina Müller

· 16.12.2022

The 39-year-old grew up in South Africa; her father is German, her mother English. As a professional skipper, she has logged many nautical miles, even in high latitudes, including on Skip Novak's expedition yacht "Pelagic Australis"

Her Cape George 36 has proven itself at sea so far

This was preceded by a month-long refit of the 1988 boat in Canada

Neuschäfer does everything himself with the help of a small team

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Photo: Kirsten Neuschäfer / GGR

Kirsten Neuschäfer stands out among the skippers of the Golden Globe Race - and not just because she is the only woman. She is fast on her ship, ploughing through the Indian Ocean towards Tasmania in second place, having rescued the wrecked Tapio Lehtinen from distress at sea

Neuschäfer sails one of the fastest, but also most seaworthy and best-prepared boats - a Cape George 36 from 1988. 39-year-old Neuschäfer is ambitious and first had to learn to adapt her ambition to the rhythm of the race. Her disappointment was clear to see when she learnt at the first media stop off Lanzarote that she was in sixth place. She seemed far more relaxed when she reached Cape Town - and not just because she had already worked her way up to the front.

"I enjoy the race much more now," said Neuschäfer. Ocean sailing is her passion and her profession, and her preparation was intensive. Even before the start, we spoke to the likeable sailor about her goals for the non-stop solo race around the world.

YACHT: Kirsten, will the Golden Globe Race be your biggest adventure yet?

Kirsten Neuschäfer: Definitely! As a 22-year-old, I cycled from Germany through the whole of Africa to Cape Agulhas, which was a great adventure. But I could have stopped at any time and taken a break. That won't be possible in the Golden Globe Race.

How did the idea of sailing around the world in this single-handed non-stop regatta come about?

During the race from 2018 to 2019, I worked on board Skip Novak's "Pelagic Australis". We sailed trips to South Georgia, the Antarctic Peninsula, Patagonia and the Falkland Islands and followed the dramatic events of the race as closely as possible. I like single-handed sailing and sailing in the Southern Ocean - that's why it grabbed me.

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In the last race, five boats crossed the finish line out of 18 that started, and some capsized in stormy conditions. How do you prepare for such challenges?

I deal intensively with the subject of storms and heavy weather sailing. And I prepare my boat as well as possible for them.

How exactly do you do that?

It's getting a new rig with a stronger mast and a new, more stable bowsprit. I'm working with a boat builder and we're reinforcing everything on the ship as best we can. The wooden deck is also being overhauled and much more. I could have saved myself a lot of work with a different type of boat, but I really wanted this one: It is considered fast and seaworthy.

You have often sailed with a crew in high latitudes: What do you take from this for the planned single-handed adventure?

I was often in the stormy Drake Passage with the "Pelagic Australis", which will be very useful. I know what it's like to be on your own and have to improvise. I've also learnt how to avoid wear and tear on many transfer voyages of new ships. That is very helpful.

Apart from the refit, what does your preparation for the race look like?

Sail as much as possible! I also need another 2,000 nautical miles on the boat for the qualification, but that will come together on the passage to France alone, where the race will start.

And your goal? Arrive or sail at the front?

Winning! I spoke to the winner of the last race, Jean-Luc Van den Heede, and he thinks that my boat can't win because it's too heavy. But I disagree. I will definitely do my best. The secret will be to find the balance between fast and gentle sailing. In any case, it will be a very big deal!

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