SA Sailing hails Kirsten Neuschäfer for another well-deserved accolade

The SA Sailing community were once again in celebratory mood after Kirsten Neuschäfer was named the country’s Sportswoman of the Year at the SA Sports Awards on Sunday night.

The intrepid Gqeberha sailor made history last year by becoming the first woman to win the prestigious Golden Globe round-the-world race since its inception in 1968.

Neuschäfer had already been hailed across the world for her remarkable achievement and was named female 2023 Rolex World Sailor of the Year by World Sailing. But it was the acknowledgement from her home country that meant the most to her.

“The greatest recognition that anyone can receive is from their own country, so thank you South Africa,” she said on receiving the award at the ceremony at Sun City’s Superbowl on Sunday.

“My proudest moment was sailing over that finish line waving the South African flag.”

Neuschäfer was the only female sailor to contest last year's Golden Globe race which required competitors to circumnavigate the globe without the use of modern technology or the benefit of satellite-based navigation aids. She set off in September 2022 and reached the finish line in France almost eight months later on Freedom Day, 27 April 2023.

“I would say never let yourself get put into a box… for me, I was there as a competitor in my sport and in that moment, gender was not an issue and that’s how it should be,” she said.

EPIC SOLO VOYAGE

The 41-year-old sailor’s epic 48 000km solo voyage also included a dramatic mid-ocean rescue when one of her fellow competitors got into trouble and needed urgent assistance.

Meanwhile, also at the awards ceremony on Sunday was a thrilled SA Sailing president Michael Robinson, who once again hailed Neuschäfer for her incredible achievements.

“What a fabulous recognition by the sporting fraternity of Kirsten's special achievement,” he said.

“It is one thing to excel when the entire country is behind you and the grandstands are full of supporters and funding is unlimited. But when you are alone, sailing a boat you prepared and funded alone, and sailing it alone through some of the most inhospitable oceans without support – that is truly heroic!”