Skip Novak- Official Advisor

Skip Novak is widely considered the world's pre-eminent authority on polar sailing. He has a wide range of achievements including four Whitbread Around the World Races and co-skippering the 33-meter catamaran Innovation Explorer in 2001 millennium ‘The Race’ – a nonstop circumnavigation that took 64 days.   Overlapping his racing career in 1987 he built the Pelagic, a steel cutter, giving him the opportunity to explore the southern high latitudes and explore his other passion, exploratory mountaineering. In 2003 he launched the 74 foot Pelagic Australis and has conducted adventure charters and logistic support operations in the far south (the BBC and Nat Geo among many others) for over 30 years, as Pelagic Expeditions.

 With his knowledge of how things work on all sizes of boats along with a deep background in around the world racing, Skip will be an important asset to help guide the project.

alicia biggart- Social MEdia Team and logistics

Alicia Biggart is an Emmy award-winning freelance production manager with a background in sports documentaries and international branded content. Alicia currently splits her time between midcoast Maine and New York City.

CHARLOTTE BAINBRIDGE- SPONSORSHIP AND LOGISTICS

Charly is a Navigation instructor and freelance sailor. She has worked on many types of vessel:- from warships to tall ships to whale and dolphin research vessels to Antarctic expedition vessels. She now works from her own yacht as an online navigation tutor and is sailing to places on her bucket list in-between. 

Passionate about the art of good seamanship and traditional sailing, Charly has been intrigued and enthused by the Golden Globe race since before the 2018 edition was announced. She has researched the race extensively and knows that Kirsten is the person to win the 2022 edition.

erin ranney- Media Manager

Erin Ranney is a freelance wildlife camerawoman and ocean exploration video engineer. Erin sailed aboard Pelagic with Kirsten as a client in 2018 for a National Geographic shoot and again with Kirsten as crew in 2018/2019. She’s filmed for companies such as National Geographic, BBC, Smithsonian and PBS.

Carolina deseta- Coordinator: LOGISTICS AND MEDIA TEAM

Carolina Deseta has been sailing for 20 years around the globe, including the Southern Ocean and Pacific Ocean and currently residing in the Caribbean still working on yachts. She started out with her passionate love for the great outdoors since a young age; adventuring in canyons, mountaineering, rivers, motorcycling and then to the ocean, taking her traveling far and wide. She is also a qualified Event Manager and Integrative Health and Nutrition Coach. 

She is beyond excited to support Kirsten to the finish line, whom she's believes is made of all the right stuff to win this race and offer her support with Carolina's experience in event management and health and nutrition, and her understanding of the ocean and its demands. "Feel the fear and do it anyway" - to live a full life.