Cole Brauer, a 29-year-old skipper from Long Island, made history by becoming the first US woman to sail solo around the world. She completed the Global Solo Challenge, a race that covered 26,000 nautical miles over 130 days. Brauer tearfully reunited with her family in Spain upon finishing the challenge, celebrating with champagne and expressing disbelief at her accomplishment. She was the only woman among 19 sailors in the race, aiming to break gender barriers in the male-dominated sport.
Documenting her journey on social media, Brauer shared both the peaceful moments and the hardships she faced at sea, including a rib injury she sustained during rough waters near Africa. Despite the challenges, she remained determined to complete the race. Brauer missed holidays and milestones but decorated her boat and kept her spirits high throughout the journey.
From starting in A Coruña, Spain, to crossing the southernmost point of South America and finally finishing back in Spain, Brauer navigated through various oceans and conditions. She deliberately timed her arrival to coincide with “first light” in honor of her boat’s namesake. French skipper Philippe Delamare won the challenge ahead of Brauer, who finished in second place.
As the first American woman to achieve this feat, Brauer hopes to inspire others, especially girls, to follow in her footsteps. She aims to challenge traditional norms in sailing and show that women can excel in solo sailing. Brauer’s remarkable journey around the world has earned her a well-deserved place in the history books.
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Photo credit nypost.com