SheHelms Sailingvideo
Why Is There Only One Woman in the GGR2026? Mara Løvenskiold
6 August 2026 · 54 min · 24 views · Les Sables-d'Olonne
What this video covers
Mara Løvenskiold prepares for the 2026 Golden Globe Race as the fleet’s only female competitor.0:09 Based in Le Sable de L'Homme, France, she is outfitting her boat, *Showgirl*, for the solo, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation.5:05 The race requires traditional production yachts designed before 1988, with navigation restricted to sextants and paper charts, and no modern electronic aids or weather routing.3:53 Løvenskiold recently completed a two-week rig repair in Jersey, which she credits with building her confidence in the vessel's structural integrity for the Southern Ocean.5:45 She relies on community support for technical upgrades, including a solar panel installation provided by Sailing Uma.8:52 Her preparation strategy emphasizes mental resilience and comfort, incorporating personal touches like playing the ukulele and maintaining a varied diet to combat the isolation of an eight-month voyage. Løvenskiold notes that coastal navigation remains more exhausting than open-ocean crossings due to the constant vigilance required near land and heavy traffic.24:19 She aims to challenge gender stereotypes in the sailing community by maintaining her personal identity throughout the race.29:56
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