KIRSTEN NEUSCHäFER WINS FEMALE ROLEX WORLD SAILOR OF THE YEAR

A sailor from Gweberha has been named the 2023 Female Rolex World Sailor Of The Year.

Kirsten Neuschäfer was chosen out of a shortlist of four finalists.

Sailing reports that she recently wrote her name into the history books by becoming the first woman to finish first in the solo Golden Globe Race, a journey around the world reliant on no modern technology. She also came to the rescue of a fellow sailor during the course of the event.

The 41-year-old was unable to attend the award ceremony in Malaga, Spain due to other commitments, but shared her gratitude in a video message.

“It’s such an incredible honour to be a nominee among such amazing, acclaimed and iconic sailors, but to win this award, to be given this recognition by such an esteemed panel of judges and by the public means so, so much to me. Thank you to everyone who has believed in me and cheered me on.”

Tom Slingsby was named the Male 2023 Rolex World Sailor of the Year for the third time. He is currently still the only sailor in the world to have won the SailGP trophy.

Image credit: Golden Globe Race