Congratulations to Kirsten
Photo Credit: Fred Klein
As the publisher of The KONK Life, I have spent the past few years striving towards participating in the 2022 Golden Globe race as a skipper. Unfortunately, my journey was cut short last September when my boat and I were stranded on a lava beach in the Canary Islands, taking me out of the race.
Despite this setback, I have spent the last four months rebuilding my boat’s spirit and I am thrilled to announce that she will soon be ready to set sail once again.
The Golden Globe race is a grueling six to eight month solo, non-stop, and unsupported sailing race around the world. Just last week, an incredible woman named Kirsten crossed the finish line, becoming the winner of the race. She deserves all the recognition in the world for this incredible accomplishment.
In light of her amazing achievement, I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to Kirsten. She has truly inspired me and countless others to continue pursuing our passions and never give up, no matter the obstacles we may face.
Thank you for taking the time to read my message, and I look forward to sharing more updates on my own sailing journey in the future.
By Guy deBoer
Here´s to you girl
234 days ago, I embarked on an unforgettable journey as one of 16 Skippers competing in the 2022 Golden Globe Race, a solo non-stop around the world adventure. Among us were 15 men and one woman, all with the dream of claiming victory. As I sit comfortably in my home today, I am proud to witness the few remaining Skippers completing their journey around the world. It is with great excitement we are witnessing Kirsten Neuschäfer as the first woman to win a solo non-stop around the world race!
In the buildup to the race, I followed Kirsten’s journey as she refitted her Cape George 36 and sailed it to her home in Cape Town, South Africa, before embarking on a solo journey to the meeting of the Golden Globe Skippers in Gijon, Spain. It was there that I met Kirsten and the other Skippers I would be racing against. Her impressive resume as a sailor, including her experience in the southern oceans, I knew would make her a formidable competitor in the race. The boat she chose, the Cape George 36, was also one of the deigns I knew would be fast in the race.
During a panel discussion at the local Yacht Club in Gijon, where the skippers were asked if we were there to win the race, Kirsten initially expressed to me that she was there to enjoy the experience. However, what she told the audience that she was there to win. I was sitting right beside her and leaned over and whispered to her that we now knew the truth. Today, as we watch Kirsten cross the finish line as the winner of the Golden Globe Race, I feel a special allegiance to her and admire her performance over the past eight months. I know that the world will agree with me when I say that Kirsten Neuschäfer is one of the world’s greatest offshore solo sailors.
Kirsten, congratulations on your historic victory as the first woman to win a solo non-stop around the world race. You deserve this victory, and I look forward to seeing your success continue to grow.
Guy deBoer
2022 Golden Globe Skipper / Retired @ the Canary Islands
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxdQjww1_mA
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