Cole Brauer

An offshore and inshore sailboat captain and professional sailor, Cole dreams of being the first American woman to race solo around the world and she is currently well on the way to achieving that goal. On October 28th, 2023 Cole will set sail from A Coruña Spain to compete in the Global Solo Challenge – a single-handed, non-stop, around the world yacht race.

Cole made history this past June as the first female sailor to win line honors in the singlehanded leg of the Bermuda One-Two Yacht Race and then went on to also win the doublehanded leg with co-skipper Cat Chimney. They became the first female sailors to win the race in its 24 editions.

Raised on a nature preserve on the eastern tip of Long Island, New York, Cole grew up observing and participating in nature's games and beauty. She often dug in the marsh and watched the clouds, trying to predict when the next storm would arrive.

After years of living outside, it only seemed natural to move to Hawai'i to pursue a Bachelor of Science from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.

After only a few weeks, she realized that the ocean was calling, and she wanted to be in the waves and wind with whatever power she had. Two years of hardcore inshore and offshore training with the University sailing team and some local offshore sailing squads hooked her. Ten years later, the nature that drew her into the sport of sailing keeps her in it.

Fast Facts:

• Currently sailing solo around the world in the Global Solo Challenge with the goal of becoming the first American Women to race solo non-stop around the world
• Winner of the Bermuda One-Two Race 2023, first female winner of the race in its history
• Lives out of a Ford Transit van when not sailing offshore and can talk about van life all-day
• Has a 100-ton Captain's License

Cole's 'go to' Mustang Survival pieces: Women's Torrens Hooded Thermal Jacket, Women's Kazan Base Layer, and the Greenwater 65L Submersible Deck Bag

Follow Cole as she sails around the world: