Sailor prepping for around the world race grateful for’ support

South African sailor set to race around the world overwhelmed by Islanders’ support

MALPEQUE — Kirsten Neuschäfer hardly knew anything about P.E.I. when she landed here four months ago — now she couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

The South African yacht captain sailed her vessel, Minnehaha, into Summerside’s harbour in early January. She planned to overwinter on the Island while she worked to refit her boat.

Her goal is to sail Minnehaha in the 2022 Golden Globe Race, which is a solo dash around the world. As if that wasn’t a daunting enough prospect, the race also forbids the use of any sailing technology created after 1968.

Neuschäfer’s bold mission has captured the respect and imagination of many Islanders, some of whom have offered their time, skills and cash to help her realize her dream.

“I couldn’t have ever imagined I would get this much help from the community. I really landed in the best possible place,” said Neuschäfer.

Since arriving in P.E.I., she and Minnehaha have been holed up in the Malpeque area, with Twin Shores Campground co-owner Darren Cousins’ workshop serving as their home away from home. Neuschäfer has spent most of her waking hours over the past four months there working on her boat, usually with help from Eddie Arsenault, Cousins or some others.

Arsenault lives nearby and has worked on or around boats all his life. When he heard Neuschäfer’s story, he quickly offered his expertise.

“I’ve always tinkered at this kind of stuff, some for my job, some of it for leisure. So, it was right in my element,” said Arsenault. “It’s one of a kind. It’s not something you run into every couple of years, for sure. That was the incentive to help — I probably won’t get a chance (like this) ever again.”

Neuschäfer said Arsenault’s help has been indispensable. Not only does he do the work of two or three skilled tradespeople himself, but he’s recruited several friends and family members to lend their skills, as well. As if to emphasize the point, one of Arsenault’s relatives was painting Minnehaha’s interior as Neuschäfer took a break to speak with SaltWire.

Summerside businessman and former mayor Bill Martin has also taken an interest in her story.

A lifelong sailor himself, Martin is organizing a socially distanced gala dinner in Neuschäfer’s honour and hopes to raise upward of $20,000 to help cover the considerable expenses required for her venture. It’s set for May 29 at Credit Union Place and as of Thursday, April 29, had sold 90 of the 120 available tickets. Anyone interested in attending can contact Martin at billmartinpei@gmail.com.

“Every single person who comes to this is going to walk away inspired,” said Martin.

News of the dinner has even reached the Golden Globe

Race organizers, who shared it on their social media channels. That prompted an American sailor to buy a table’s worth of tickets and donate them to Neuschäfer, as he can’t attend himself. She plans to invite Arsenault and some others who have helped her.

There is no way she would be as far along in the refit process as she is if she had had to do most of the work herself, she said, so she appreciates the assistance she’s received.

If the work continues apace, Neuschäfer hopes to have Minnehaha back in the water early this summer. Once the sea trials are complete, she will sail to France, where the Golden Globe Race starts in Les Sables d’Olonne in September 2022.

Neuschäfer also plans to leave part of her vessel behind on the Island. She is replacing her mast, so the old one is going to Cousins’ Twin Shores Campground, where it will become a flagpole.

It will be nice to leave a piece of Minnehaha behind in a place that has done so much for her, said Neuschäfer.

“I’m really lucky,” she laughed. “I don’t know if the other competitors are getting this kind of support.”