When Cole Brauer finished second in the Global Solo Challenge, she became the first American woman to sail solo around the world and became a role model for America’s young women.

“It would be amazing if there was just one other girl that saw me and said, ‘Oh, I can do that, too,’” Brauer said. 

To help fulfill the yacht racing dreams of girls, meridian-street has assembled a step-by-step guide for how to get into blue water racing. 

Step One: Get a sailing yacht. Entry level sailing yachts suitable for ocean racing can be had for a mere $600,000. Start saving your allowance. 

Step Two: Live by an ocean. While you might scrimp by with a Great Lake, to become a first class around-the-world yacht racer, you need an ocean. Preferably one like the Pacific or the Atlantic. Don’t bother with a gulf, or a bay. No one will take you seriously. 

Step Three: Make sure your family lives in a warm climate. The warmer the better is the rule for sailing yacht racers since you need to sail year-round. Dodging icebergs is not for you, girl. Think, Bahamas, Hawaii, or Tahiti. In a pinch, Florida or California can work. 

Step Four: Choose the right yacht club. Sailing skills are important, but don’t forget about connections. Pick a yacht club to join with the right people. Check the membership roster for names like, Kerry, Kennedy, Heinz, or anything Saudi sounding.

Step Five: Say goodbye to social media. While you can get wifi when near shore, and can intermittently send text messages through UHF, the successful blue water sailor doesn’t need contact with friends and family or even strangers. 

 That’s it. With those five simple steps, you too can spend months and months alone at sea. Now get out there and chase your dream.