| Age | 30 (5/24/94) |
|---|---|
| Top performance | First American woman to complete a solo, nonstop round-the-world voyage, finishing second in the 2023-2024 Global Solo Challenge aboard her Class40. |
| Joined Imoca on | 2025 |
| Team | Team Malizia |
| Base | Lorient (FRANCE) |
Cole Brauer, originally from Connecticut, discovered her passion for the ocean at a young age. After joining the university sailing team at St. Mary's College of Maryland, she developed strong expertise in racing and offshore navigation. Quickly, she stood out for her determination and commitment, aiming to make a name for herself in the world of offshore racing.
After completing her studies, Cole specialized in solo and short-handed sailing.
In 2023, she became the only and youngest participant in the Global Solo Challenge, setting sail aboard her Class40 First Light. After 130 days at sea, she completed the race in March 2024, finishing second, and breaking the speed record for a solo, nonstop circumnavigation in a Class40. Throughout her journey, Cole chose to share her experience with her followers on social media. When she left America to cross the Atlantic to Spain, she had 10,000 followers; by the time she arrived, the number had skyrocketed to 400,000. She stood out for her transparent and human approach to sailing. Her posts revealed her moments of doubt, frustrations, as well as lighter moments, like her solo dances onboard to celebrate New Year's Eve.
Her journey garnered attention, and in 2024, thanks to the Magenta Project, she joined Team Malizia. A few months later, in 2025, Cole officially became part of the team as co-skipper, taking part in crewed races such as the Course des Caps and The Ocean Race Europe. Through her performances and positive image, she represents a new generation of sailors pushing the boundaries of the sport.
| Name | MALIZIA - SEAEXPLORER |
|---|---|
| Sail number | MON 1297 |
| Architect | VPLP |
| Construction | 2022, Multiplast |
| Length | 18,28 m |
| Beam | NC |
| Draught | 4,5 m |
| Weight | NC |
| Mast height | 29 m |
| Mast type | Wing mast |
| Foils | Yes |
| Sail area max. | |
| Upwind | NC |
| Downwind | NC |
From welcoming US solo sailor Cole Brauer as co-skipper to preparing for a crewed racing calendar filled with firsts, the next six months promise to be particularly exciting for Team Malizia. With new challenges on the h…
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