South African superhero, internationally acclaimed speaker, author, big wave surfer, Guinness SUP World Record holder and Conservationist, Chris Bertish, as an avid sailor himself, has been following the 2023 annual Golden Globe non-stop, solo around the world yacht race this year and has been blown away by the absolutely incredible, Kirsten Neuschäfer, who is not only the ONLY woman in the race, and a South African, she is also about the win the race, breaking multiple world records!
39 Year old Kirsten, from Cape Town, was the only woman among the 16 starters for the 2023 Golden Globe Race, and one of the 4 finishers of the race with the remaining 12 boats having to pull out of this gruelling 8 month event.
The race, which started in 1968, with 9 men starting and only 1 finishing, is known as the voyage of madmen. It is a roughly 8 month, solo, non-stop, around the world race, where you carry all of your own provisions that you will need from the start to the finish of the race. Meaning you have little to no contact with the outside world for the entire race, other than to check in with the race organisers and call for help if needed! It is an incredible feat to just finish this race – let alone win it!
The best part is, that as of today – Kirsten has no idea she is in the lead and about to win this iconic event!
Kirsten Neuschäfer is just a breath away from winning the Golden Globe Race and is on the verge of breaking most of the Golden Globe Race records, including best distance over 24 hours (unofficially 218.9 nautical miles), and best distance over 7 days (unofficial at 1143.7 nautical miles). And of course if she wins, First Woman to win the Golden Globe Race. And she doesn’t know!
GGR sailors have no internet onboard (per the race rules) and use satellite communication only for scheduled race calls and emergency. During her final sat phone call today with race officials, she expressed her excitement at drawing near the line and was looking forward to fresh fruit and ice cream ashore, but she did not know where she or the other GGR competitors stood in the race.
Quote from Chris Bertish
“Kirsten Neuschäfer, is an fairly unknown female sailor from South Africa, but this is all just about to change as this incrediblly powerful, inspiring and uplifting story unfolds, as she’s now been out on the ocean competing in the Golden Globe, Round the World Ocean Yacht race for over 234 days now and is just about to win it.
It’s one of the most amazing and inspiring stories and feats of any sporting incon in the last decade and the fact that she is the first and only woman in the race, is from South Africa and is going to win it makes it even more powerful, empowering and impactful. We as south Africans need to get behind this South African hero and support and celebrate her victory as one of the truly iconic feats and expeditions it is.
Lets celebrate this incredible achievement by supporting her for this historical proudly South African woman makes history and returns home a hero and inspiration to so many. ”
Our country really needs a good news story and what better than a South African woman who is showing the world how incredible we are as a nation! Kirsten has no idea I have sent this out on her behalf, but Chris and I would really like to get all South Africans behind her as she does this incredible feat!
If you would like to chat with Chris, he is in South Africa at the moment, please do not hesitate to contact me.
This write up was kindly brought to you by Chris Bertish Impossible in support of positive and inspiring South African stories.
