Former University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa sailor Cole Brauer has been honored with US Sailing’s highest accolade, the 2024 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year.
Brauer captured the sailing world’s attention during the Global Solo Challenge, where she made history as the first American woman to sail solo around the world, finishing second in the inaugural race.
Brauer received the award on February 6, at the 2025 US Sailing Leadership Forum in California. The selection process involved a panel of past Rolex Award winners and prominent sailing media members, who recognized outstanding achievements in the sport over the past year.
Brauer is the second UH sailing alumnae in the last three years to garner the award, joining former Rainbow Wahine and six-time Formula Kite World Champion Daniela Moroz.
Brauer began her sailing journey at UH Mānoa. She experienced incredible success as a Rainbow Wahine and was named the 2017 Jack Bonham Award winner, which is considered the highest honor in UH athletics. At UH, she became a member of three national championship-qualifying teams and was a two-time Intercollegiate Sailing Association Academic All-American Team member.
Brauer was the UH sailing team’s top scholar-athlete in 2016. She graduated in 2017 with a degree in food science and human nutrition with a pre-professional medical focus.
