Cole Brauer

Key speaking topics

• Solo offshore racing
• Round-the-world sailing
• Resilience in extreme environments
• High-performance sailing teams
• Decision-making under pressure
• Endurance and isolation at sea
• Professional offshore racing campaigns

Ideal for

• Leadership teams
• Sales and high-performance teams
• Organisations navigating change or uncertainty
• Corporate conferences and industry events

Audience outcomes

• Insight into managing risk and uncertainty in high-stakes environments.
• Practical lessons from solo leadership and accountability.
• Clear perspectives on endurance, preparation, and performance under pressure.
• Understanding of teamwork dynamics in professional offshore racing.

Why organisations work with Cole Brauer

• Brings first-hand experience of competing in a solo, non-stop round-the-world race.
• Offers practical insights drawn from professional offshore racing campaigns.
• Connects extreme performance environments to business leadership and resilience.
• Recognised by national sailing bodies and international racing teams.

Biography

Cole Brauer is recognised internationally for her achievement in solo, non-stop round-the-world ocean racing. She finished second overall in the inaugural Global Solo Challenge, becoming the first American woman to complete a solo, non-stop, unassisted circumnavigation and earning recognition for a Class40 solo non-stop speed record.

Her campaign combined technical precision, strategic risk management and sustained performance across more than four months alone at sea. The race drew significant global attention and built a substantial international following, positioning her as a prominent figure in modern offshore sailing.

Brauer’s offshore career includes skippering the Class40 First Light and winning the Bermuda One-Two Yacht Race overall, widely reported as a first for a woman skipper in the event’s history. Her achievements were further recognised with US Sailing’s Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year award.

Beyond solo racing, she competes at the highest level of professional offshore sailing as a co-skipper with Team Malizia. Her experience spans solo endurance, short-handed racing and crewed international campaigns, providing a rare perspective on leadership, accountability and performance under sustained pressure.

For organisations, Brauer brings direct insight from one of the most demanding environments in sport. Her experience navigating isolation, uncertainty and high-stakes decision-making at sea translates into practical lessons for senior leaders, commercial teams and high-growth organisations operating in complex and competitive markets.