{"id":160651,"date":"2025-11-06T09:15:24","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T09:15:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/?p=160651"},"modified":"2025-11-06T09:15:24","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T09:15:24","slug":"record-breakers-and-champions-world-sailing-honours-the-2025-world-sailors-of-the-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/news\/record-breakers-and-champions-world-sailing-honours-the-2025-world-sailors-of-the-year-160651","title":{"rendered":"Record-breakers and champions: World Sailing honours the 2025 World Sailors of the Year"},"content":"Over the past 12 months, women in sailing have achieved remarkable milestones, showcasing their skill, determination, and passion for the sport. As we approach International Women's Day, it's fitting to celebrate these accomplishments that have not only broken records but also paved the way for future generations.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_156955\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]\"\" Justine Mettraux was first International Skipper in the Vend\u00e9e Globe. Photo: Anne Beauge \/ Alea[\/caption]\r\n

Record-Breaking Vend\u00e9e Globe<\/a><\/h2>\r\nPerhaps the obvious place to start is the 2024\/25 Vend\u00e9e Globe<\/a> which saw six female skipper stake to the startline, equaling the record set in the previous edition. These remarkable sailors showcased exceptional skill and determination in this solo, non-stop, around-the-world race and in the process set two new records.\r\n\r\nJustine Mettraux:<\/strong> Swiss skipper Justine Mettraux achieved an impressive eighth place finish, becoming the first woman and first international competitor to cross the finish line. She completed the race in 76 days, 1 hour, 36 minutes, and 52 seconds, beating the previous fastest time for a female skipper of 87 days set by Clarisse Cremer in the previous edition of the race.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_156954\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]\"\" Violette Dorange became the youngest solo sailor to complete the Vend\u00e9e Globe. Photo: Thomas Deregnieaux \/ Qaptur[\/caption]\r\n\r\nViolette Dorange:<\/strong> 23-year-old French sailor Violette Dorange became the youngest solo sailor to complete the Vend\u00e9e Globe, finishing the around-the-world race in a record-setting 90 days, 22 hours, and 37 minutes. Her journey captivated millions, inspiring a new generation of sailors and highlighting the evolving landscape of competitive sailing.\r\n\r\nElsewhere French yachtswoman Clarisse Cr\u00e9mer<\/a> finished second woman despite having faced significant challenges leading up to the race not least being dropped by her sponsor after taking a short maternity leave break from the sport. The fall out hit papers and started a conversation about the 'motherhood penalty' in top-level sport.\r\n\r\nSam Davies participated in her fourth Vend\u00e9e Globe aboard Initiatives-C\u0153ur 4. At 50, British skipper Pip Hare<\/a> embarked on her second Vend\u00e9e Globe but was cruelly denied a finish after a dismasting<\/a> forced her retirement.\u00a0 Isabelle Joschke also returned for her second Vend\u00e9e Globe.\r\n\r\nThese six women demonstrated exceptional courage and skill, further solidifying the growing presence and impact of female sailors in the Vend\u00e9e Globe.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_156950\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]\"\" Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Women's Team win the Women's America's Cup. Photo: Ian Roman \/ America's Cup[\/caption]\r\n

First ever Women's America's Cup<\/a><\/h2>\r\nWhether a separate Women's only America's Cup will help drive inclusion in the America's Cup<\/a> itself and gender equality in sailing is a debate for another day, but there is no denying that the first ever Women's America's Cup at the tail end of 2024 was a big deal.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_156949\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]\"\" Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team and Athena Pathway fight it out in the final of the Women's America's Cup. Photo: Ian Roman \/ America's Cup[\/caption]\r\n\r\nIn the end it was the Italian Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team who triumphed in the first Women's America's Cup<\/a>. Led by skipper Giulia Conti, the Italian team clinched victory over Britain in a closely contested 18-minute race, finishing just eight seconds ahead. This event was a significant step toward , showcasing women's capabilities in high-stakes competitive environments.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_156953\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]\"\" For the final leg Marie Tabarly\u2019s strategy was \u201cto go fast, fast, fast and we accelerate at the end\u201d. Clearly a winning strategy! Photo: Tim Bishop\/PPL[\/caption]\r\n

Women to the fore in the Ocean Globe Race<\/a><\/h2>\r\nEarly 2025 saw the finish to the epic Ocean Globe Race, a round-the-world yacht race which began in 2023 and was held to mark the 50th anniversary of the first Whitbread Round the World Race in 1973.\r\n\r\nThe handicap round the world race, which took part in stages, saw two impressive wins for women. First Marie Tabarly rewrote history<\/a> doing what her famous father \u00c9ric never managed; winning line honours in the race helming the same 52-year-old yacht sailed by her father in the 1973 Whitbread Round the World Race.\r\n\r\nThen came another incredible performance as former Whitbread yacht Maiden<\/em>, sailed by an all-female international crew won the whole thing after 153d 2h 16m 53s of racing around the world. Virtually none of the crew had previously faced such an epic challenge and only one had sailed in the Southern Ocean before\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_156951\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]\"\" The Maiden crew became the first all -female crew to win a round the world yacht race.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nMaiden and her crew are no strangers to smashing glass ceilings and sailing into the history books. In the 1989-90 Whitbread Round the World Race, Tracy Edwards skippered the 58ft yacht and, with her crew, became the first all-female team to take part in a round the world yacht race.\r\n\r\nBut this time around the Maiden crew become the first all-female crew to win a round the world yacht race.<\/a>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_156957\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]\"\" Cole Brauer became the first American woman to sail solo non-stop around the world. Photo: Alvaro Sanchis[\/caption]\r\n

Cole Brauer's Historic Circumnavigation<\/h2>\r\nIn March 2024, Cole Brauer<\/a> made history by becoming the first American woman to complete a solo, non-stop circumnavigation via the three Great Capes<\/a>. Aboard her Class 40 yacht, First Light, Brauer sailed approximately 27,910 nautical miles in 130 days, demonstrating exceptional resilience and sailing prowess. Her journey was not just a personal triumph but also a significant milestone for American women in solo ocean racing.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_156952\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]\"\" Aina Bauza's crossing time from Cadiz to San Salvador was 30 days 22 hours and 34 minutes. Photo: Peters & May[\/caption]\r\n

Aina Bauza's Solo Transatlantic Record<\/h2>\r\nApril 2024 saw Spanish sailor Aina Bauza set a new solo transatlantic record<\/a>. Navigating her Mini 6.5m yacht, Red\u00f3, Bauza became the first solo sailor to complete the 4,800-nautical-mile journey from Cadiz to San Salvador in a monohull, achieving a crossing time of 30 days, 22 hours, and 34 minutes. Her accomplishment highlighted her exceptional seamanship and determination.\r\n\r\nThese are just a few of the impressive achievements over the past year all of which reflect the impressive strides women have made in sailing, breaking barriers and setting new standards. As we celebrate International Women's Day, we honour these trailblazers who continue to inspire and lead the way in the maritime world.\r\n\r\n
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World Sailing has recognised its top achievers, honouring two offshore stars, Charlie Dalin and Justine Mettraux, as the Rolex World Sailors of the Year. The awards highlight not only exceptional performance but also remarkable personal resilience in the face of immense challenge. Dalin’s Secret Battle Behind Record Victory France\u2019s Charlie Dalin was named the Male Rolex World Sailor of the Year, a tribute to his all-conquering victory in the 2024\u20132025 Vend\u00e9e Globe. Aboard Macif Sant\u00e9 Pr\u00e9voyance, Dalin completed the grueling solo, non-stop circumnavigation in 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes, and 49 seconds, demolishing the previous course record by nearly 10 days. His win was made all the more heroic by a revelation shared recently: Dalin was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal stromal tumour in 2023. He competed in the Vend\u00e9e Globe while undergoing treatment, managing his illness with daily medication. Mettraux Sets New Female Circumnavigation Record The Female Rolex World Sailor of the Year title went to Swiss sailor Justine Mettraux, who delivered an historic performance in the Vend\u00e9e. Finishing eighth overall on Teamwork-Team SNEF, Mettraux was the first woman and first international competitor to cross the finish line. Mettraux completed the race in 76 days, 1 hour, 36 minutes, and 52 seconds, setting a new record for the fastest single-handed, non-stop, monohull circumnavigation by a woman. Her achievement is the latest in a highly diverse and impressive offshore career that has seen her compete in the Vend\u00e9e Globe, participate in the inaugural Women\u2019s America’s Cup, and, more recently, take part in The Ocean Race Europe. Emirates Team New Zealand Named Team of the Year In the collective categories, Emirates Team New Zealand earned the 2025 World Sailing Team of the Year Award. The honour recognises the team\u2019s continued success and commitment to innovation and community within the sport. The award follows ETNZ\u2019s historic third consecutive America\u2019s Cup victory in Barcelona in 2024, a feat that solidified their position as one of the most successful teams in America\u2019s Cup history. Kevin Shoebridge, COO of Emirates Team New Zealand, emphasised the collaborative spirit behind the win. \u201cThis recognition is especially meaningful to us because it is not about any one individual. It is about the strength of the team,\u201d Shoebridge said. \u201cEvery single person in our organisation, from the sailors to the designers, the boatbuilders, the shore crew, and the families who support us, plays a crucial role in what we achieve together.\u201d In accepting the award, the team also paid tribute to inspirational blind sailor Dani A Pich, acknowledging the importance of championing inclusivity and accessibility in sailing. Article continues below… 11th Hour Racing Impact Award The commitment to sustainability in the sport was also recognised, with the World Sailing 11th Hour Racing Impact Award being presented to the LIFE Recreation ReMEDIES Project. The project, led by the Royal Yachting Association, was honoured for its landmark collaboration uniting conservation bodies and the recreational boating community to restore and protect fragile seagrass meadows and maerl beds across five Special Areas of …Continue reading »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3349,"featured_media":160652,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[1633],"review_manufacturer":[],"acf":[],"introduction":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160651"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3349"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=160651"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160651\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":160655,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160651\/revisions\/160655"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/160652"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=160651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=160651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=160651"},{"taxonomy":"review_manufacturer","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/review_manufacturer?post=160651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}