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Yachting World

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World’s fastest monohull: Malizia-Seaexplorer IMOCA 60

‘Nothing is set in stone until the finish gun’ – Nikki Henderson

Clarisse Crémer cleared following Vendée cheating accusations

‘What I learned from the America’s Cup event in Jeddah’ – Matt Sheahan

World’s coolest yachts: Monitor – the 1955 foiling boat

Jeanneau Yachts 55 review: Thinking outside the box

Caudrelier wins first ever solo round the world race in foiling Ultim

Sailing from Annapolis to Iceland on the viking routes of old

American cruisers feared dead after yacht stolen in Grenada prison break

Is your anti-foul choice contributing to Global warming?

Boundless adventure: The Outremer 52

Taking bluewater cruising to a new level

Case study: Coppercoat proven to withstand the world’s oceans

Your expert guide to routing for multihulls

Ever dreamed of packing it all in a living on a yacht remotely?

HH44 review: Taking fast multihull cruising to another level

Two new IMOCA skippers who will be fighting at the front of the next Vendée Globe

What are the best ways to keep a yacht’s crew happy?

5 expert tips: Shorthanded mainsail reefing

How to win the RORC Caribbean 600: Expert’s guide

Nautitech 48 Open first look: last design of legend Marc Lombard

Catamarans and multihulls.

Some of the world’s biggest, coolest catamarans go racing

Six solo skippers ready to race 100ft foiling multihulls around the world

5 reasons to follow the 30th anniversary Transat Jacques Vabre

Extraordinary boats: Trimaran Trinity

Sailing across the atlantic.

How to prepare for an Atlantic crossing with the ARC

What’s the best autopilot kit for a transatlantic?

The ‘easy’ way to sail across the Atlantic?

New mutihulls take on an Atlantic crossing

How to prepare for an Atlantic crossing

Satellite communication: how to stay connected at sea

Extraordinary boats.

Extraordinary boats: Maluka – restoration of a 1932 classic

Extraordinary boats: Infiniti 52 – an incredible story and boat

Falken restoration: Round the World racer turned perfect cruiser

Extraordinary boats: Sailing the sustainable Ecoracer 25

Extraordinary boats: The Sam Manuard foiling mini 6.50

The story of Cass: a yacht that was 20 years in the making

Practical cruising.

Great seamanship: Slow Boat to Uruguay

How to find the right weather window

How to manoeuvre a yacht under power

Great seamanship: Bound for Cape Horn

Allures 40.9 vs Ovni 400: French aluminium centreboarders go head-to-head

CNB 66 yacht test: Intoxicating cruiser is a cut above the mainstream

Saffier SE37 Lounge test: A veritable supercar of the seas

Swan 65 test: The triumphant return of a true sailing icon

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Sailing yachts

Uniting simplicity and performance in all weather and all latitudes, with increasingly personalized uses, to make dreams all the more accessible – innovating endlessly.  

The Oceanis cruising yacht will tempt you to surf the seas, driven by the wind and your wanderlust, with the promise of simple comfortable sailing at all times. These stylish cruisers have clean lines and a flared hull, and they have become the gold standard of cruising. They are balanced and spacious , and they have been designed so that each passenger enjoys their time aboard and to make trips to sea about sharing fun in good company.

Oceanis Yacht

The slender lines of the Oceanis Yacht are very eye catching. The focus on every detail and their wonderful feel at the helm inspire dreams of long cruises at sea. These powerful bluewater long-distance cruisers are designed to be easily handled short-handed, making new destinations and long cruises possible. Both inside and on deck, the quality and comfort of the fittings make every moment you spend at sea so much more sophisticated.  

BENETEAU’s historical line places the emphasis on speed and design, and the pleasure is the same whether you are cruising or racing. This mixed use is specific to the First, which proudly boasts a taste for performance at sea, even in light air. Designed by well-known architects, the boat has left its mark on performance cruising, and it is now the gold standard.

The First SE meets the challenge of providing keen sailors with a light, planing, high per-formance sailing yacht with great racing sensations, while guaranteeing safe sailing. Easy to trail, rig and launch, they facilitate moving to various sailing sites for regatta racing and can also be used to enjoy exploring and coastal cruising.

Legendary. The Figaro is an ode to excellence in offshore racing. The one-design sailing yacht was initially designed for the Solitaire du Figaro, allowing some of the greatest skippers to compete at sea on equal terms, much to their pleasure. The sailor makes the difference on a Figaro.   

Old BENETEAU sailing yachts

“ Our history has been told many times in these last fifty years, but, to understand it, you need to grasp our company values, and return to its origins, since it is nothing but continuity and progression.” - Annette ROUX

Discover all our sailing yacht and luxury yacht lines 

Are you looking for a  sailing yacht dealer ? Leisure boating, short trips, competitive sailing, regattas – whatever type of sailing you like, BENETEAU has a wide range of  sailing yachts  and  luxury yachts , so there’s bound to be a boat to fulfil your dreams. 

SAILING YACHTS FOR ANY TYPE OF SAILING 

With over century’s experience in the field of naval construction, and in recreational craft since the 1960s , BENETEAU can now provide boats for all kinds of sailors. 

OCEANIS: A BEST SELLER AMONG SAILING YACHTS

BENETEAU has made a name for itself in cruising with the OCEANIS line. With  sailing yachts  boasting ever more stable hulls, open deck plans, easier handling, equipment, and interiors lending themselves to customization, the OCEANIS line has become the international gold standard in cruising. There are eight models ranging from 31 to 60 feet.

FIRST LINE: ICONIC SAILING YACHTS 

BENETEAU’s First line has also been in the spotlight for over 40 years. Now in its seventh generation, the sailing yachts are robust, easy to handle, and perfectly suited to sailors who love competitive sailing. The First sailing yachts are ideal for coastal trips, regattas and adventure raids. 

FIRST SE RANGE: HIGH PERFORMANCE YACHTS

First SE - Seascape Edition encourages and empowers sailors to expand their comfort zone by joining competitive one-design racing and adventure sailing. It grows a community of owners linked by shared values and a drive to strengthen their sailing skills. Whether owners are racing against others in one-design classes or are engaging in adventure sailing, the First SE connects them to the elements and helps them experience nature in the most authentic way.

BENETEAU YACHTS:LUXURY YACHTS

BENETEAU is also there to help you buy a top-quality boat. The OCEANIS Yacht line delivers  luxury sailing yachts  that satisfy this requirement perfectly. The line comprises two luxury craft of over 50 feet, designed by renowned architects and designers. The same is true of the First Yacht 53 in the First line. 

THE FIGARO BENETEAU: ICONIC OFFSHORE RACING SAILING YACHTS

BENETEAU sailing yachts are also ideal for racers and sailors who love offshore racing. The Figaro class has brought the French sailing community firmly into the spotlight, since the 1990s. Now in its third generation with the Figaro 3, the sailing yacht offers a truly memorable sailing experience. A distillation of technology and innovation, she is the result of a collaboration between the best experts of Groupe Beneteau’s teams and the designers Van Peteghem Lauriot-Prévost (VPLP), the architects behind the winners of the last two Vendée Globe races. 

SAILING YACHTS SAILING THE FIVE OCEANS 

This diversity has led to the BENETEAU brand being represented on all the world’s seas. But wherever they are, BENETEAU boats are easily recognisable for their taut lines, innovative design, robustness and performance. No doubt this will continue, since BENETEAU is constantly reinventing itself to provide ever more enjoyable, high performing, safe and user-friendly recreational craft. BENETEAU achieves this by making the most of current and future innovations such as ship control, dock and go, foils, etc.

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Sailing Yachts For Sale

While they may be far outnumbered by their motor yacht peers, sailing yachts are unique in terms of regatta capabilities and eco-friendly performance. Most buyers of a sailing yacht for sale wouldn’t swap their bluewater cruisers or regatta winners for anything. After all, there's nothing quite like sipping ice-cold mojitos to the soundtrack of a sail flapping gently overhead.

That's why we have invited a mix of some of the most elegant, traditional, modern and enjoyable sailing yachts for sale to be showcased on BOAT – to help those aspiring owners to find their perfect match. Owning a sailing yacht comes with numerous benefits, freedom and flexibility to set sail whenever and wherever. Plus, the eco-friendly credentials never go out-of-date.

Here, we take a look at some of the standout sailing yachts for sale with BOAT International, including sailing yachts from legendary names such as Royal Huisman , Perini Navi , Nautor's Swan and Jongert .

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Propulsion System

• How to Learn to Sail: Your Comprehensive Journey

Embarking on the journey of learning to sail is an exciting venture filled with the promise of adventure, freedom, and a unique connection with nature. This article aims to be your comprehensive guide, covering all you need to know to begin your sailing journey. From understanding the basic concepts and selecting the right sailing course, to mastering essential skills and joining the vibrant community of sailors, we will explore each aspect in detail. Sailing is not just a sport; it’s a way of life that offers unparalleled experiences on the water. Whether you seek solitary peace or spirited camaraderie, sailing has something to offer everyone.

Understanding the Basics of Sailing

 Sailing is an intricate art that combines knowledge of wind and water dynamics with skillful boat handling. At its core, sailing is about harnessing the power of the wind to propel a boat forward. This section will provide an overview of the fundamental concepts of sailing, such as wind direction, sail trim, and boat balance. Additionally, we will discuss different types of sailboats and how they cater to various sailing preferences, whether it be leisurely cruising or competitive racing. This foundational knowledge is crucial for anyone looking to learn to sail, as it forms the basis of all sailing techniques and strategies.

How to Start Sailing: A Beginner's Guide

 The first step in your sailing journey is finding a suitable learning environment. This typically involves choosing a sailing school or club that offers courses designed for beginners. In this section, we will guide you through the process of selecting a sailing course that aligns with your goals and skill level. We will also discuss what to expect from a beginner’s course, including the curriculum, duration, and the types of boats you might learn on. Choosing the right course is vital for a solid start, ensuring that you build confidence and competence on the water.

Essential Skills for Beginners

 For those new to sailing, mastering a set of essential skills is key to enjoying and excelling at the sport. This includes basic maneuvers like tacking (turning the boat through the wind) and jibing (turning the boat away from the wind), as well as understanding how to read the wind and adjust the sails accordingly. Additionally, we will delve into the importance of weather awareness, teaching you how to interpret weather forecasts and recognize changing conditions while sailing. These skills form the foundation of safe and successful sailing, enabling beginners to navigate waters with greater ease and confidence.

Safety Measures and Precautions  

Safety is paramount in sailing, and this section emphasizes the importance of being prepared for any situation. We will cover the essential safety gear every sailor should have, including life jackets, harnesses, and communication devices. Additionally, we will discuss emergency procedures such as man-overboard recovery and what to do in case of inclement weather. Understanding and adhering to safety protocols not only ensures your well-being but also enhances the overall sailing experience by providing peace of mind.

Choosing the Right Sailboat

 Selecting the right sailboat is a critical decision for any aspiring sailor. This section will help you understand the various factors to consider when choosing a boat, such as size, type, and intended use. Whether you’re looking for a small dinghy for solo adventures or a larger keelboat for family outings, we’ll provide insights and recommendations to help you make an informed decision. Additionally, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of buying versus renting a boat, allowing you to weigh your options based on your commitment level and budget.

Learning to Sail on Your Own  

While formal courses are invaluable, many sailors also choose to supplement their learning through self-study. In this section, we will explore various self-learning resources available to aspiring sailors, including online courses, instructional videos, and sailing literature. We will also discuss how to practice and apply these self-taught skills on the water, emphasizing the importance of hands-on experience. For those who prefer a more autonomous approach to learning, this segment will provide the tools and guidance needed to embark on a self-directed sailing journey.

Joining the Sailing Community  

Sailing is a social sport with a vibrant and welcoming community. In this part of the article, we will discuss the benefits of joining a local sailing club or group, where you can meet fellow enthusiasts, share experiences, and learn from others. We will also introduce you to the exciting world of sailing regattas and races, which offer opportunities to test your skills and enjoy the thrill of competition. Becoming part of the sailing community not only enriches your experience but also opens doors to new adventures and friendships.

Advancing Your Skills  

Once you have a firm grasp of the basics, the next step is to advance your sailing skills. This section will cover intermediate and advanced courses that focus on more complex sailing techniques, navigation, and seamanship. We will also discuss the pathways to specialized sailing areas such as offshore cruising, racing, or even becoming a sailing instructor. Advancing your skills is a continuous journey that brings new challenges and rewards, keeping the sailing experience fresh and exciting.

Sailing as a Lifestyle  

Sailing can transcend being a mere hobby to become a central part of your lifestyle. This section will explore the joys and challenges of embracing sailing as a way of life, whether it involves solo voyages, family adventures, or social sailing with friends. We will discuss how sailing can offer a unique escape from the daily grind, providing a sense of freedom and connection with nature that is hard to find elsewhere. For many, sailing becomes more than a pastime; it becomes a passion that shapes their way of living.

Read   our  top  notch   articles  on  topics  such as  sailing ,  sailing   tips  and  destinations  in  our   Magazine .  

Maintaining Your Sailboat  

Owning a sailboat comes with the responsibility of regular maintenance to ensure its safety and longevity. This section will provide practical tips on basic maintenance routines, covering areas such as cleaning, inspecting rigging, and engine care. We will also discuss the importance of regular checkups and professional repairs when needed. Proper maintenance not only extends the life of your boat but also ensures that your sailing experiences are enjoyable and trouble-free.

Traveling with Your Sailboat  

Sailing offers the unique opportunity to travel and explore new destinations from the perspective of the water. In this section, we will guide you through planning a sailing trip, including route planning, provisioning, and understanding local regulations. We will also suggest some of the best sailing destinations around the world, from the Caribbean’s crystal-clear waters to the historic coasts of the Mediterranean. Traveling with your sailboat opens up a world of adventure, allowing you to experience different cultures and environments in a truly unique way.

The Financial Aspect of Sailing  

Understanding and managing the financial aspects of sailing is important for anyone considering this sport. This section will break down the various costs associated with sailing, including initial investments, ongoing expenses, and potential hidden costs. We will also provide advice on budgeting for sailing, helping you plan your finances to accommodate your sailing ambitions. Whether you are looking to buy a boat or rent one, understanding the financial commitment involved is key to making sailing a sustainable and enjoyable part of your life.

Environmental Considerations  

As sailors, we have a responsibility to protect the marine environment we so dearly enjoy. This section will discuss sustainable sailing practices, such as minimizing waste, using eco-friendly products, and respecting marine wildlife. We will also address the broader impact of sailing on marine ecosystems and what we can do to reduce our footprint. By adopting environmentally conscious practices, sailors can play a crucial role in preserving the oceans for future generations.

 In conclusion, learning to sail is a journey filled with discovery, challenges, and immense rewards. Whether you’re drawn to the tranquility of a solo sail or the camaraderie of sailing with others, the world of sailing offers endless possibilities. We hope this guide has provided you with the knowledge and inspiration to start your own sailing adventure. Remember, the journey of a thousand nautical miles begins with a single sail. Embrace the winds, chart your course, and enjoy the incredible journey that awaits.

So  what  are  you   waiting   for ?  Take  a  look   at   our   range   of  charter  boats  and  head  to  some   of   our  favourite     sailing   destinations .  

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Expert advice: sail handling tips and tricks

• Katy Stickland
• December 28, 2021

Good sail handling can be the difference between a great passage and a frustrating one. Here our experts offer their tips and tricks.

Sail handling is an important skill for any sailor. At its most basic, sail handling merely means sheeting in and out of sails, but there is more to it than just that.

Understanding halyard tensions, leech tension, reefing, backwinding, the list goes on and on. In truth sail handling and the many skills associated with it is something that even the best sailors are continuously learning.

Getting the best out of your sails is one benefit of efficient sail handling but just as important are understanding how to do sail changes in the safest way possible and taking the minimum effort. This will leave you with more time to enjoy your sailing and less worry when you have to take on some of the big tasks.

Our expert panel of sailors have got together to provide their top tips and tricks for sail handling from improving performance to easy reefing and beyond.

Look at your luff – Graham Snook

Both sails here could do with some more halyard tension. Credit: Graham Snook Photography

It’s easy to set and forget your halyards but rarely does the wind stay at a constant strength throughout a sail.

When you first adjust your halyards (this includes the genoa halyard) take up the tension until you see horizontal creases at the front (luff of the sail) disappear, and then ease the tension until just before they appear.

Vertical creases mean you’ve got too much halyard tension.

Get into the habit of checking the luffs of your sails to see whether the halyards need adjusting.

Ease the main sheet – Jonty Pearce

Lower just enough mainstail to get the cringle on to the ram’s horn

On a recent trip with friends the time came when we agreed it would be wise to reef the mainsail .

The yacht was fitted with a self-supporting vang, slab reefing, ram’s horns, a single clew reefing line per reefing point, and a stack-pack with lazy jacks.

The helm indicated that he was going to go head to wind and stop the boat for the procedure. We were close-hauled and the sea state was fair; it is my preference not to stop the boat and wallow around whilst being lashed by the genoa and its sheets, but to keep sailing with the genoa set while depowering the main by easing the mainsheet.

Not all the crew knew this technique; I clipped on and went up the windward side to the mast; the trimmer eased the sheet and the vang, and the main started flapping.

I loosened the main halyard but kept enough tension on it to prevent the sail coming down in a rush, and pulled the reef down so the ring could be slipped over the ram’s horn.

Once the main halyard was re-tensioned and the clew’s reefing line pulled on, the trimmer reset the sail and the vang, and we were done. Simple.

I’m sure this is the procedure followed by most sailors but felt it worth a mention as it was new to several on board.

Number two genoa sheet to Leeward – Randall Reeves

Running the number two genoa to leeward can save a trip forward when sailing through a low. Credit: Randall Reeves

When running off in a gale, one may wish to avoid unnecessary trips forward.

So, if I know a low is on the approach, and once I’ve chosen my tack, I will often run the free/windward number two genoa sheet to leeward and feed it through the most forward sheet block and back to the cockpit.

This means that when it comes time to roll in the number two to that ‘storm’ position, I simply move the readied sheet to the working winch and I thus avoid a trip forward to reposition the sheet block on decks often underwater.

Lower your furling sails – Rachael Sprot

Flogging can put stress on furling sails. Make sure you check them regularly. Credit: Graham Snook/Yachting Monthly

Our furling sails can take quite a battering – they’re regularly half rolled up yet still under tension, they flog unceremoniously when they need pulling in quickly and often the halyard tension gets left on in port.

Back in the days of carrying multiple different headsails you would naturally be lowering and raising sails each time you went out and casting an eye over the gear for damage.

Every month or so it is well worth lowering your furling sails and inspecting everything carefully.

You need to look out for chafe on the halyard and at the head of the sail; check that the top furling unit moves cleanly and that the halyard is securely attached, and go over the stitching on the sail to identify where things might be getting worn.

This may save you from that fate of having the sail half in and half out because something has got jammed at the top of the mast.

Mainsail reefing clip – Randall Reeves

A spring-loaded clip will help the mainsail cringle stay in place. CreditL Randall Reeves

On my 45ft sloop, Mo , the mainsail tack reefing cringle slips into a spring-loaded clip rather than the standard ramshorn hook, a quick customisation your boatyard can do.

This ensures that the cringle stays in place while the crewmember at the mast goes about getting the rest of the sail reefed.

Reefing on a reach – Rachael Sprot

Scandalising the main will make reefing easier. Credit: Lester McCarthy

When you’re sailing on a reach and decide you need to reef it is often hard to de-power the sail enough to allow the sail to drop. In sheltered water you can always luff up a bit, but if you’re in a big sea state that can be difficult.

Luffing up also results in an increase to the apparent wind speed – the last thing you want when you’ve decided you need to reef.

Before altering course there are two things you can do. The first is to raise the boom higher using the topping-lift or the vang. This will ‘scandalise’ the sail, opening the leech, making it much easier to de-power.

Option two is to sheet the headsail in tight to help backwind the sail. The tell tales on the genoa may complain, but may just give you enough airflow to backwind the main and put a reef in.

To reef or not to reef? – Helen Melton

Reef early to make cruising more comfortable. Credit: Helen Melton

Through the years of sailing, there have been plenty of times when we’ve been flying along on a reach, toe rails underwater.

It’s an exciting way to sail, but can be scary for youngsters.

Our current boat has two single-line reefs and two slab reefs.

The section of the sail above the fourth reef is reinforced so that it can act as a storm sail, cutting the need to rig a trisail.

On a boat with a young family crew, this is a much easier manoeuvre.

Weighing about 15 tonnes, SeaEye reaches well once the wind hits 10 knots and when it hits 18 knots, we consider putting a first reef into the mainsail.

The boat sits up more stably in the water with no loss of speed and the crew feel secure

Singlehanded mainsail handling – Dr Roger Geary

Sail handling Keep the sail tie around the sail until you have hoved to and secured the halyard. Credit: Dr Roger Geary

Lazy jacks and stack packs are brilliant for stowing the mainsail, particularly shorthanded. Getting the sail back up, however, is a different matter.

Lashing the tiller or using an autopilot to stay head to wind can help, but there is an easier way, and that’s to heave to under headsail alone and lash the tiller.

Modern boats will need some headsail to remain furled and be stable enough to hove to.

I then go forward on deck and lower the leeward lazy jacks.

You will then need something to hook the lazyjack lines round somewhere near the gooseneck in order to obtain an ‘L’ shape, holding them down and out of the way of the main with a cleat, winch, ramshorn or even a bungee cord with toggles that can be looped around the boom, or mast below the gooseneck, and hooked around the lines.

If you put a sail tie around the sail before doing so, you will stop it spilling on deck.

The step-by-step procedure is as follows: leave the berth having unzipped the stackpack and attached the main halyard, and put a sail tie round the sail.

Choose a sensible place to heave to. If it is windy enough to put a reef in, it is windy enough to clip on!

Lower the leeward lazyjack halyard and hook the lines at the gooseneck. Undo the sail tie and hoist the main.

Re-tension the lazyjack halyard and retreat to the cockpit. Come out of the hove to position and sail away. S

ome think this is unnecessary and that all that is required is to sail close hauled under headsail and hoist the main.

Whenever I do this I end up with a batten catching the lazyjacks!

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A record on the high seas: Cole Brauer to be first US woman to sail solo around the world

In a sea of male competitors, Cole Brauer is the only woman in an around-the-world solo sailing competition that's quickly coming to a close. Later this week, the 29-year-old from Long Island, New York, is expected to cross the finish line in waters off the coast of Spain.

At that point, she'll become the first American woman to sail solo nonstop around the world.

Friends, peers and sailing enthusiasts have been cheering Brauer on since last October, when she embarked on her more than four-month journey. Her boat First Light, a special model of racing sailboat called a Class40, is expected to return to the race's starting point of A Coruña, Spain, on Thursday, according to organizers of the Global Solo Challenge.

Brauer said she anticipates arriving in Spain late Wednesday night or early Thursday.

"For the next two days or so it's a completely moving target," Brauer said in a video posted to her Instagram on Monday in the evening, her time.

The latest official race update on Brauer said she was off the west coast of the Azores on Saturday.

"Long anticipated Cole Brauer has been able to avoid the light winds of the Azores high and slingshot east," race organizer Marco Nannini wrote online, adding, "She’s now sailing on course at constant speeds above 10 knots average."

Nannini told USA TODAY he wanted to organize the Global Solo Challenge to "create a platform for sailors like Cole to showcase her skills and move on to a pro sailor career."

Over the past several months, Brauer has been keeping her more than 400,000 Instagram followers updated − and entertained − with videos from onboard First Light. The trip has been extremely challenging and physically exhausting, Brauer said in one video from December.

In the post, she describes how frustrated she felt when she had to fix and replace different parts of the boat.

"I don't want you guys to think I'm like Superwoman or something," Brauer said. "Right now I've been feeling just broken," she added, describing how she had to fix the boat's autopilot system after injuring her torso against the side of the boat's hull amid intense waves.

Who is Cole Brauer?

Brauer is from Long Island and competed for the University of Hawaii sailing team. She went to high school in East Hampton, New York, her university team website says. She is the youngest of more than a dozen sailors, or skippers, in the Global Solo Challenge.

The professional sailor lives in Boothbay, Maine, and during the spring and summer, she can be also found in Newport, Rhode Island, gearing up for races, the Newport Daily News reported last year .

Brauer has sailed on First Light, a 40-foot yacht, for over five years, the outlet reported.

"I always said I wanted to race around the world in this boat," she told the newspaper.

From above and below First Light's deck, Brauer has been sharing aspects of her journey with followers and die-hard sailing fans.

On New Year's Eve, she donned a dress and danced at midnight , and in another post, she showed off how many pull-ups she can do.

As the only woman racing solo, nonstop around the world in the first Global Solo Challenge, Brauer said she's determined to prove there's nothing women and girls cannot accomplish.

"I push so much harder when someone's like, 'No, you can't do that,'" Brauer told NBC Nightly News . "And I'm like, 'OK, watch me.'"

On her profile page on the Global Solo Challenge website, Brauer says she wants to send a message to the sailing community that it's time to leave its male-dominated culture in the past. In the profile, Brauer takes aim at a lack of equal pay and what she describes as harassment in the sailing industry.

"Just as well as this community has built me up it has broken me and my fellow female teammates down. I am doing this race for them," Brauer said.

Brauer and her spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

How long has Cole Brauer been at sea?

Brauer has been sailing for over four months after departing on Oct. 29.

She is expected to finish in second place in the race, behind a sailor who departed about a month before she did.

The start times differed because that first place boat, Phillipe Delamare's Mowgli, is much slower, Nannini said, explaining the race's staggered start times.

"The format means that if you enter on a slow, small boat you can still win, which makes it much more inclusive than an event where a bigger budget is a definite advantage," he said.

France's Delamare will win first-place prize money of 7,500 euros (about $8,140), and the second and third-place finishers will win 5,000 euros (about $5,430) and 2,500 euros (about $2,710) respectively, Nannini said.

How dangerous is Cole Brauer's sailing race?

A medical team including a nurse and a physician trained Brauer and sent her on her journey with medicines and medical supplies, in case of any health issues, according to her Instagram account.

Early in the race, Brauer administered her own IV with a saline solution after she became dehydrated, according to one video posted to her social media.

Brauer's most serious health scare happened in early December when she said gnarly ocean conditions caused the boat to jolt, throwing her across the inside of the boat and slamming her hard against a wall.

Her ribs were badly bruised as a result, and her medical team told her to alternate between taking Advil and Tylenol, Brauer said on Instagram.

"Rigging up a sleeping seat belt has been added to my priority list," she said in the post's caption. "I know I'm very lucky that this wasn't a lot worse."

What is the Global Solo Challenge?

The inaugural Global Solo Challenge is a nonstop sailing race in which competitors departed last year from A Coruña, Spain.

The race encompasses nearly 30,000 miles and takes place mostly in the southern hemisphere.

After leaving waters off the coast of Spain, sailors travel south and around Africa's Cape of Good Hope. The race then includes the two other capes that together make up the famous three great capes: Australia's Cape Leeuwin and South America's Cape Horn.

About half of the other competitors dropped out of the race, according to racing data posted online by the Global Solo Challenge.

Delamare finished the race late last month after embarking on his journey in late September 2023, according to race data.

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Alone on the Ocean, With 400,000 Friends

As Cole Brauer speeds to the finish of a solo race around the world, she is using Instagram to blow up sailing’s elitist image.

Before she could begin the Global Solo Challenge, a nonstop solo race around the world, Cole Brauer had to sail First Light, a 40-foot yacht, from Rhode Island to Spain. Credit... Samuel Hodges

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By Chris Museler

• Published Feb. 29, 2024 Updated March 1, 2024

Video dinner parties, spa days, stuffed animals, favorite hoodies and cozy, colorful fleece blankets. Cole Brauer’s Instagram feed hardly feels like the work of someone racing a 40-foot sailboat around the world in the Global Solo Challenge. But Ms. Brauer, 29, is not an average ocean racer.

In 2022, Ms. Brauer had tried out for another competition, the Ocean Race, which is considered the pinnacle of professional ocean racing. Sailors in that race are highly trained, wear matching foul weather gear and have corporate sponsors. And most of them are men. Ms. Brauer, who had sailed thousands of miles on high performance ocean racing boats, felt she was ready to join their ranks.

But after competing in trials in France, Ms. Brauer was told she was “too short for the Southern Ocean” and was sent on her way.

In spite of her small stature — she stands 5 feet 1 inch — Ms. Brauer rounded Cape Horn, Chile, on Jan. 26, the last of the three great capes of her journey to finish the Global Solo Challenge. It is a feat most of the Ocean Race sailors picked instead of her have never even attempted. And despite being the youngest competitor in the race, she is ranked second overall, just days away from reaching the finish line in A Coruña, Spain.

Along the way, her tearful reports of breakages and failures, awe-struck moments during fiery sunrises, dance parties and “shakas” signs at the end of each video have garnered her a following that has eclipsed any sailor’s or sailing event’s online, even the Ocean Race and the America’s Cup, a prestigious race that is more well known by mainstream audiences.

“I’m so happy to have rounded the Horn,” Ms. Brauer said in a video call from her boat, First Light, after a morning spent sponging out endless condensation and mildew from its bilges. “It feels like Day 1. I feel reborn knowing I’ll be in warmer weather. The depression you feel that no one in the world can fix that. Your house is trying to sink and you can’t stop it.”

Shifting gears, she added, “It’s all getting better.”

Ms. Brauer’s rise in popularity — she has more than 400,000 followers on Instagram — has come as a surprise to her, but her achievements, combined with her bright personality, have struck a chord. And she has set a goal of using her platform to change the image of professional ocean sailing.

“Cole wants to prove you can go around the world and watch Netflix every once in a while and wear your pajamas,” said Lydia Mullan, Ms. Brauer’s media manager. “As for her mental health, she’s really creating a space in her routine for herself, to create that joy she hasn’t seen in other sailors.”

Four months after she began the Global Solo Challenge, a solo, nonstop race around the world featuring sailboats of different sizes, Ms. Brauer is holding strong. Sixteen sailors began the journey and only eight remain on the ocean, with the Frenchman Philippe Delamare having finished first on Feb. 24 after 147 days at sea.

Ms. Brauer, who was more than a week ahead of her next closest competitor as of Thursday morning, is on track to set a speed record for her boat class, and to be the first American woman to complete a solo, nonstop sailing race around the world.

Her Authentic Self

Ms. Brauer has been happy to turn the image of a professional sailor on its head. Competitors in the Ocean Race and the America’s Cup tend to pose for static social media posts with their arms crossed high on their chests, throwing stern glares. Ms. Brauer would rather be more comfortable.

She brought objects like fleece blankets on her journey, despite the additional weight, and said solo sailing has helped give her the freedom to be herself.

“Without those things I would be homesick and miserable,” she said of her supply list. “We need comfort to be human. Doing my nails. Flossing. It’s hard for the general public to reach pro sailors. People stop watching. If you treat people below you, people stop watching.”

Other female sailors have noticed the same disconnect. “The year I did the Vendée Globe, Michel Desjoyeaux didn’t mention that anything went wrong,” Dee Caffari, a mentor of Ms. Brauer’s who has sailed around the world six times, said of that race’s winner. “Then we saw his jobs list after the finish and we realized he was human.”

Ms. Brauer, as her social media followers can attest, is decidedly human.

They have gotten used to her “hangout” clothes and rock-out sessions. Her team produces “Tracker Tuesdays,” where a weather forecaster explains the routes Ms. Brauer chooses and why she uses different sails, and “Shore Team Sunday,” where team members are introduced.

“In the beginning I looked at what she was doing, posting about washing her knickers in bucket and I was like, ‘No! What are you doing?’” Ms. Caffari said. “I’ve been so professional and corporate in my career. She’s been so authentic and taken everyone around the world with her. Cole is that next generation of sailor. They tell their story in a different way and it’s working.”

Finding a Purpose

Ms. Brauer was introduced to sailing at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Those days of casual racing on the turquoise waters of Kaneohe Bay informed her vision of an inclusive sailing community. That image was shattered when she came to the mainland to try her hand at professional sailing.

“When I came to the East Coast it was so closed off,” she said of those early experiences. “I couldn’t get a job in the industry. Pro sailors were jaded. They didn’t want anyone to take their job. It’s a gig-based economy. Competition, we’re pinned against each other, especially women in high-performance sailing since there are fewer of us.”

“This whole process of being a pro sailor over the past five years, I feel mentally punched in the face and my legs kicked out from under me,” she added. “I screamed and I cried. Without those experiences I wouldn’t be as mentally tough. It made me callused.”

A big break happened when she landed a gig as boat captain for Michael Hennessy’s successful Class40 Dragon. The boat was a perfect platform to hone her ocean sailing skills as she ripped up and down the East Coast delivering it to races, often alone, pushing Dragon to its limits. Her Instagram posts of those adventures drew attention, and she was invited to tryout for the Ocean Race, a fully crewed race around the world in powerful 65-footers.

“I was crushed,” Ms. Brauer said of being rejected after the trials.

Ms. Brauer, though, found a new purpose. After months of living in her van and working on Dragon, she found a benefactor in F.K. Day, the president of World Bicycle Relief and the executive vice president of SRAM Corporation, who, along with his brother Lincoln, agreed to buy a boat and fund a massive refit for the Global Solo Challenge, which was only three months away.

Conducting the hurricane of activity last summer in Newport, R.I., Ms. Brauer knew this was her moment to shine. But representatives for her new sponsors had reservations about her bold social media experiment.

“I got a massive pushback: ‘How can you be so vain. This isn’t important. We don’t want to pay for this,’” she said. “I said none of this is going to matter if the world can’t see it.”

Her boat was covered with cameras her shore team could monitor, with technology allowing for constant recording that could be used to capture unexpected twists. Ms. Brauer got some immediate traction, but nothing prepared her for the numbers she would hit once the race began.

“We were taking bets in Spain,” said Ms. Brauer, who had to sail First Light nearly 3,000 miles from Newport to Spain as a qualifier for the race. “There was a photo of me excited we hit 10,000 followers. Ten thousand for a little race? That’s massive.”

A few months later she has 40 times that count.

A Dangerous Journey

Only a handful of solo ocean racers have been American, all of whom being male. Now Ms. Brauer has a larger following than any of them, pushing far beyond the typical reach of her sport.

“This is a really good case study,” says Marcus Hutchinson, a project manager for ocean racing teams. For me she’s an influencer. She’s a Kardashian. People will be looking for her to promote a product. She doesn’t need to worry about what the American sailors think. That’s parochial. She has to split with the American environment.”

Unlike her peers, Ms. Brauer is happy to do some extracurricular work along the way toward goals like competing in the prestigious Vendée Globe. “I’m part of the social media generation,” she said. “It’s not a burden to me.”

The playful videos and colorful backdrop, though, can make it easy for her followers to forget that she is in the middle of a dangerous race. Half her competitors in the Global Solo Challenge have pulled out, and ocean races still claim lives, particularly in the violent, frigid storms of the Southern Ocean.

“She was apprehensive,” Ms. Caffari said of Ms. Brauer’s rounding Cape Horn. “I told her: ‘You were devastated that you didn’t get on the Ocean Race. Now look at you. Those sailors didn’t even get to go to the Southern Ocean.’”

The question now is how Ms. Brauer will retain her followers’ desire for content after the race is over.

“She will be unaware of the transition she went through,” Mr. Hutchinson said. “She’s become a celebrity and hasn’t really realized it.”

Ms. Brauer, however, said she received as much from her followers as she gave them.

“They are so loving,” she said. “I send a photo of a sunset, and they paint watercolors of the scene to sell and raise money for the campaign. When I start to feel down, they let me stand on their shoulders.”

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3 men suspected in disappearance of U.S. sailing couple ordered deported from St. Vincent

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent — Three men from Grenada suspected in the disappearance of a U.S. couple whose catamaran was hijacked were ordered deported from St. Vincent on Monday.

The men, Trevon Robertson, a 19-year-old unemployed man; Abita Stanislaus, a 25-year-old farmer; and Ron Mitchell, a 30-year-old sailor, had pleaded guilty to immigration charges in a court in the eastern Caribbean island of St. Vincent.

Senior Magistrate Colin John ordered that they be repatriated “as soon as practicable.”

The men had escaped from a police holding cell in Grenada on Feb. 18 and are suspected of hijacking the catamaran while Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel were aboard.

Police have said they believe  the couple were thrown overboard  as the suspects sailed to St. Vincent, where they were arrested on Feb. 21. They have not been charged in the case.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities noting there were signs of violence aboard the couple’s boat found abandoned in St. Vincent.

Last month, Robertson, Stanislaus and Mitchell were held at the South Saint George Police Station in Grenada when they escaped.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Superintendent Junior Simmons has said Brandel and Hendry were likely dead.

“Based on the investigation thus far, it is presumed that Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel are deceased,” Simmons said in a video  statement .

Royal Grenada Police Commissioner Don McKenzie has said the three men escaped from jail before they “commandeered” the couple’s boat, called Simplicity, and headed north. The escapees boarded the boat while it was docked in the St. George area of Grenada, police said.

The nonprofit Salty Dawg Sailing Association described Hendry and Brandel as “veteran cruisers” who participated in last year’s Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua, and had planned to spend the winter cruising in the eastern Caribbean.

The Associated Press

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• Tuesday, March 5, 2024
• Today's Paper

3 men deported in alleged disappearance of U.S. sailing couple

• By Associated Press
• March 4, 2024

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

The yacht “Simplicity”, that officials say was hijacked by three escaped prisoners with two people aboard, is docked at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coastguard Service Calliaqua Base, in Calliaqua, St. Vincent. Authorities in the eastern Caribbean said they were trying to locate two people believed to be U.S. citizens who were aboard the yacht that was hijacked by the three escaped prisoners from Grenada.

Police transport escaped prisoners Atiba Stanislaus, far left, and Trevon Robertson who are handcuffed together in Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The men had escaped from a police holding cell in Grenada on Feb. 18 and are suspected of hijacking a catamaran while Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel, who disappeared, were aboard.

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent >> Three men from Grenada suspected in the disappearance of a U.S. couple whose catamaran was hijacked were ordered deported from St. Vincent on Monday.

The men, Trevon Robertson, a 19-year-old unemployed man; Abita Stanislaus, a 25-year-old farmer and Ron Mitchell, a 30-year-old sailor, had pleaded guilty to immigration charges in a court in the eastern Caribbean island of St. Vincent.

Senior Magistrate Colin John ordered that they be repatriated “as soon as practicable.”

The men had escaped from a police holding cell in Grenada on Feb. 18 and are suspected of hijacking the catamaran while Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel were aboard.

Police have said they believe the couple were thrown overboard as the suspects sailed to St. Vincent, where they were arrested on Feb. 21. They have not been charged in the case.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities noting there were signs of violence aboard the couple’s boat found abandoned in St. Vincent.

The nonprofit Salty Dawg Sailing Association described Hendry and Brandel as “veteran cruisers” who participated in last year’s Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua, and had planned to spend the winter cruising in the eastern Caribbean.

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Virginia couple missing in Grenada and feared killed after yacht allegedly stolen by escaped criminals

By Nikki Battiste, Tucker Reals

Updated on: February 27, 2024 / 4:48 PM EST / CBS News

Two Americans who planned to spend the winter on a yacht in the Caribbean were officially missing Monday, but feared to have been killed  after their boat was stolen by prison escapees in Grenada. Kathy Brandel and Ralph Hendry were last seen a week ago near a beach in the small island nation. Police found their sailboat, and captured three escaped criminals whom they believe stole it.

The couple was likely thrown into the ocean and died, police in Grenada said Monday. "Information suggests that while traveling between Grenada and St Vincent, (the suspects) disposed of the occupants," Don McKenzie, police commissioner of the Royal Grenada Police Force, said at a news conference .

Grenadan police were still searching for the couple, who are from Northern Virginia, and they told CBS News' Washington, D.C., affiliate WUSA that no bodies had been found.

Family and friends have described the couple as seasoned sailors who just last year sailed their yacht, named Simplicity, from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua. They confirmed that the pair had been vacationing in Grenada, where their boat was docked.

In a statement Tuesday, the couple's family said that Hendry and Brandel sailed the eastern coast of the U.S., living on their yacht, "making friends with everyone they encountered, singing, dancing and laughing with friends and family."

"It's just really sad," said longtime friend K.C. McAlpin, who added that Brandel and Hendry had planned to make this their "last grand trip" on Simplicity.

Instead, things may have taken a very tragic turn. The couple went missing on Feb. 19, one day after police in Grenada say three convicted criminals escaped from custody. 

The three men — identified as Ron Mitchell, 30, Trevon Robertson, 19, and Abita Stanislaus, 25 — were arrested in December over an alleged violent robbery. Mitchell also faced one count of rape, three counts of attempted rape and two counts of indecent assault and causing harm.

All three were recaptured Wednesday, Feb. 21. The yacht was also found that same day, Brandel's 71st birthday, abandoned on a beach on the nearby island of St. Vincent.    

The police believe the men hijacked the couple's yacht in Grenada and then traveled to St. Vincent.

Police said they found evidence suggesting the pair were killed, but the Americans' deaths have not been confirmed and the investigation was still in its early stages, they stressed.

"Several items were strewn on the deck and in the cabin, and a red substance that resembled blood was seen on board," said police spokesman Junior Simmons 

Over the weekend, family members released a statement thanking officials and those who had helped gather information, saying it "means so much to us that so many people care for Ralph and Kathy."

"We live in world that at times can be cruel, but it's also a world of profound beauty, wonder, adventure, love, compassion, caring, and faith," the family said on Tuesday. "Our parents encompassed all those values and so much more. If we have learned anything from this tragic event, it's that we know they left this world in a better place than it was before they were born."

McAlpin said the couple always made friends easily and he hoped they would be remembered for their big hearts.

"They were just a delightful couple and a real blessing in my life, and the lives of so many other people," he said.

• Missing Persons

Nikki Battiste is a CBS News correspondent based in New York.

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