U.S. record: UH grad Cole Brauer makes history with solo nonstop world sail

 Former University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa sailor Cole Brauer has become the first American woman to sail solo nonstop around the world.

The native of East Hampton, New York, finished second out of 16 competitors in the Global Solo Challenge, a race that started and ended in A Coruña, Spain. The marathon 30,000 mile journey took 130 days, and she crossed the finish line on March 7.

Brauer started the competition on October 29, sailing south around Africa, over to Australia, crossing the Pacific Ocean to South America before returning north to Spain.

Brauer was the only woman and youngest competitor in the race. It has been a grueling competition so far as more than half have dropped out. Brauer also had to overcome massive challenges, including injuring her rib after being thrown around by a massive wave, and becoming severely dehydrated. Brauer has been chronicling her journey via her Instagram @colebraueroceanracing.

As she was pulling up to the finish line, Brauer recorded a live video on Instagram. She thanked her followers and said, "I can't believe it. I still feel like I've got another couple months left of this craziness. …I'm really stoked. I'm really stoked to be here."

Brauer said that her mother hopped on a nearby boat to accompany her daughter through the finish.

Success at UH

Brauer experienced much success at UH Mānoa, being named the 2017 Jack Bonham Award winner, which is considered the most prestigious award in UH athletics. At UH, she became a member of three national championship-qualifying teams and was a two-time Intercollegiate Sailing Association Academic All-American Team member. Brauer was selected to the Dean's List from 2013 to 16 and was the sailing team's top scholar-athlete in 2016.

During her time at UH, Brauer worked as a tutor at the Learning Assistance Center and served as a teaching assistant for the Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology. As a member of the Food Science and Human Nutrition Club, she helped feed the homeless. With the Food Science Council, she participated in festivals teaching children about nutrition. Brauer graduated in spring 2017 with a degree in food science and human nutrition with a pre-professional medical focus.

"Without question, Cole Brauer is one of the finest individuals the UH sailing team has ever had," Head Coach Andy Johnson said.

https://www.hawaii.edu/news/2024/03/11/cole-brauer-record-sail/