American Women sails Round the World Solo!

[GordMay]

CBC has an interesting story, and interview with Cole Brauer:
She sailed around the world solo — and learned to stop and smell the ocean breeze
➥ https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens...trip-1.7140623

[thomm225]

Starlink Satellite Internet definitely changes RTW Racing or any type of offshore sailing.

Good to have especially for single hand sailors/racers.

[cakesy]

This used to be a lot more impressive without autopilots and wind vanes.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by cakesy

This used to be a lot more impressive without autopilots and wind vanes.

That would have been a while back.

They even used wind vanes in the original Golden Globe Single Hand RTW Race in 1968.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by cakesy

This used to be a lot more impressive without autopilots and wind vanes.

Looks like that would be pre-1960 OSTAR.

Mechanical windvane pilot and electric autopilot

Before electronics invaded our boats, there were only mechanical autopilots. A mechanical autopilot is called a windvane pilot. In English they are called windvanes or windpilots. Their story is very fascinating, before a commercial version was produced they were all self-built. At the first edition of the OSTAR in 1960 all competitors had one of their own engineering.

The windvane pilot

When Francis Chichester completed his first sailing circumnavigation in 1967 he became a hero. Sailing with a sextant and a windvane on the stern of Gipsy Moth IV he became a legend. The following year the Golden Globe started, the first non-stop round-the-world race. Robin Knox-Johnston became the first man to complete a non-stop sailing circumnavigation. Bernard Moitessier was also at the start and his photos with the sextant in hand made history. His boat was also equipped with a self-built system.

[gregjm]

I'm sorry but I just don't see the big deal with this stuff anymore. The fact she's a woman merits some kind of special adulation? Isn't that basically reverse sexism?

When Slocum pulled this stunt he did so with no electronics and a crap bucket....THAT was something noteworthy. There is a lot of the risk removed with present day equipment and electronics so every time I see something like this I pass it by because frankly it's old news any more.

Just my $.02.

[barcoMeCasa]

Chris Stanmore-Major in one of his podcasts about RTW solo open 60 racing told of never being up near the front of the fleet asked one of the other guys what he was doing wrong, answer was unless you are absolutely petrified 24 hours a day you won't come close to the podium. Mottessier et al wouldn't really get in to double figure knots boat speed, these guys & gals are soooo fast, constantly, for weeks in the southern ocean. Different breed to us mere mortals.

As were Moiteessier et al..
(why do threads always turn into some kind of competition, my guy is better than yours?? Why not both??)

And equally a different breed--

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR...AAAHQAAAAAQ6AE

[Jimbo2010]

I don't think you've done much offshore to make that comment.

It's a big F'ing deal

Originally Posted by gregjm

I'm sorry but I just don't see the big deal with this stuff anymore. The fact she's a woman merits some kind of special adulation? Isn't that basically reverse sexism?

When Slocum pulled this stunt he did so with no electronics and a crap bucket....THAT was something noteworthy. There is a lot of the risk removed with present day equipment and electronics so every time I see something like this I pass it by because frankly it's old news any more.

Just my $.02.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by gregjm

I'm sorry but I just don't see the big deal with this stuff anymore. The fact she's a woman merits some kind of special adulation? Isn't that basically reverse sexism?

When Slocum pulled this stunt he did so with no electronics and a crap bucket....THAT was something noteworthy. There is a lot of the risk removed with present day equipment and electronics so every time I see something like this I pass it by because frankly it's old news any more.

Just my $.02.

You say that from the couch at home!?

Out of 20 starters in the Global Challenge 2024 Solo Sailing Race, 7 may finish.

As far as Cole Brauer, she's 5'2" and 100 lbs. so it's sort of a big deal just from that plus being out 130 days and much of the that time out of reach of any sort of quick rescue.

On top of that, Cole Brauer and her team brought a lot of attention from your average person to this race which is good for sailing.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1117393929411632

Btw, Slocum was lost at sea.

And speaking of sailing, these newer monohulls are really nice.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1096806278195954

[thomm225]

https://www.facebook.com/reel/320346957671336

Looks like at least two reefs in the main for a smooth ride.

Also nice look at her flat/flexible solar panels. Very nice.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/4619778614914868

https://www.facebook.com/reel/695172392488317

https://www.facebook.com/reel/691052289885934

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1723039914859555

[psk125]

Originally Posted by gregjm

I'm sorry but I just don't see the big deal with this stuff anymore. The fact she's a woman merits some kind of special adulation? Isn't that basically reverse sexism?

When Slocum pulled this stunt he did so with no electronics and a crap bucket....THAT was something noteworthy. There is a lot of the risk removed with present day equipment and electronics so every time I see something like this I pass it by because frankly it's old news any more.

Just my $.02.

Reverse sexism is ignoring that she came in second out of 20 starters in a race. She has her act together. She took 130 days to sail around the world and finished more than three weeks ahead of the next boat. Slocum stopped off when and where he wanted for supplies, rest or repairs, and took three years to do it.

[Jim Cate]

Slocum stopped off when and where he wanted for supplies, rest or repairs, and took three years to do it.

And, for that matter, Slocum did not round Cape Horn...

Jim

[thomm225]

Pre-race Report.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra07DWUo7FQ

[thomm225]

4 boats are still sailing.

2 are closing in on the finish.

3 are in the Atlantic, and 1 still in the Pacific but close to Cape Horn.

https://globalsolochallenge.com/

https://globalsolochallenge.com/tracking/