Spinnaker Crew Sailing met Cole Brauer at the Chicago Yacht Club
Spinnaker Crew Sailing Instructor - Frank Jaeger Jr. and Cole Brauer
April 27, 2024
Chicago Yacht Club
In the world of sailing, tales of adventure and exploration often captivate our imaginations. From legendary voyages of exploration to modern-day solo circumnavigations, the stories of those who dare to sail the world's oceans alone inspire awe and admiration.
Among these intrepid sailors is Cole Brauer and unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that Cole is a 29 year old who is the first American woman to race solo around the world. And if you have been living under a rock, you can read more about what all the fuss is about in this New York Times article. Click Here. The voyage was a 130 day, 30,000 mile journey on a Class 40. Let’s put this into perspective:
Fewer than 200 people have sailed solo around the world
More people have been into space than have circumnavigated the world.
Solo, by herself, no one else out there - enough said!
Her solo world sail serves as a testament to courage, determination, and the privilege of freedom on the high seas.
One of our instructors - Frank Jaeger, Jr. had the privilege to meet and learn from Cole Brauer (in a packed house) this past weekend at the Chicago Yacht Club. Her experiences offer valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of solo sailing. Cole's journey around the globe is not only a remarkable feat of seamanship but also a reflection of the privilege afforded by the freedom to explore and navigate the world's oceans.
Cole's solo world sail was a journey of self-discovery and resilience. Setting out from her home port with nothing but her sailboat and her own determination, she faced the vast expanse of the open ocean with courage and resolve. Battling storms, loneliness, and the unpredictable forces of nature, Cole navigated her way across oceans and continents, pushing herself to the limits of her endurance.
Ready for this… she just decided one day to do it! Three years, funding, and some sponsors later she was off. A lesson for us all that its never too late to just do it! For those of us accustomed to the comforts of life on land, it can be easy to take our freedom and privilege for granted. But Cole's journey serves as a powerful reminder of the preciousness of these freedoms and the opportunities they afford. As she sailed from port to port, encountering new cultures and landscapes along the way, Cole was able to experience firsthand the diversity and beauty of our planet.
Meeting Cole and hearing her story was a transformative experience and provided a newfound appreciation of the challenges and rewards of solo sailing. As one example, she did all of this while overcoming a broken rib during her journey. Her courage in the face of adversity inspires us to push beyond our comfort zones and embrace new adventures, both on the water and in our own lives.
Moreover, Cole's journey highlights the importance of preserving the natural beauty and ecological diversity of our oceans. As sailors, we have a responsibility to protect these precious resources for future generations to enjoy. By learning from Cole's experiences and promoting sustainable practices in our own sailing endeavors, we can contribute to the preservation of our planet's marine environments.
Her solo world sail serves as a testament to the courage, resilience, and freedom that define the spirit of sailing. At Spinnaker Crew Sailing, we can relate as we live by our core tenets of Freedom and Adventure. We are privileged to have the opportunity to embark on our own adventures and to be inspired by the remarkable journeys of others like Cole.
What’s next for Cole? She’s taking a Spinnaker Crew Sailing Course! Just kiddinnggggg. She plans on doing another global race but next time without assisted weather routers. One thing is for sure, this won’t be the last we hear about her.
