For over 25 years, she led the women's team "Tutima" - for a long time the only female offshore team in Germany. In 2022, she was honoured with the Lifetime Award at the German Offshore Award. She retired from active regatta sailing in 2023. In the podcast, she looks back on her beginnings, experiences and a career that was characterised by team spirit and meticulous preparation.
How do you prepare for sailing in heavy weather?
Kirsten Harmstorf-Schönwitz talks openly about her experiences, such as the grounding off Helsinki that almost meant the end of the race. Then there was the Fastnet Race 2019: initially calm, no warning in the usual weather apps. Then a Dutch colleague discovered approaching thunderstorm cells in another app. Minutes later, the weather changed dramatically. All the necessary steps were taken on board and the ship levelled out almost horizontally. The display showed 99 knots, later the recording even documented 120 knots. Kirsten Harmstorf-Schönwitz explains how the crew experienced these moments and remained able to act. Communication is very important to the skipper. Mistakes are unavoidable, but it is crucial to learn from them. Her team consciously prepared for heavy weather before other regattas.
In the episode, Kirsten Harmstorf-Schönwitz goes into elementary procedures. The crew completed several safety training courses. Prevention is also the focus for the Pantaenius employee: she explains what really matters when sailing in heavy weather.
Here you can listen to the YACHT sailing podcast with Kirsten Harmstorf-Schönwitz
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Register now for our heavy weather webinar on 17 March 2026:
This episode is presented by Pantaenius.
Leonie Meyer
Editor News & Panorama
