Ireland's record-breaking sailor launches #empowHer Racing Project ahead of Route du Rhum 2026
by Gabrielle Akinsade 14 Mar 04:33 NZDT
Pamela Lee © Pamela Lee
Pamela Lee, one of Ireland's most formidable offshore sailors, has today announced a new sponsorship deal with ferry and logistics company, DFDS, as the Founding Sponsor of her #empowHer Racing campaign.
The partnership will support her throughout the 2026 Route du Rhum, a prestigious transatlantic solo race, where she will compete as the first-ever Irish sailor. Pamela has competed in numerous offshore races and has earned prestigious titles, most notably setting three world records for the fastest sail around Ireland in 2020 with co-skipper Cat Hunt. In 2023, she won the Cap Pour Elles Award and became the first Irish sailor to skipper the Transat Jacques Vabre race.
Led by Ripple Racing (Pamela Lee's offshore racing brand), #empowHer is a two-year racing campaign running from 2025 to 2026. While deeply rooted in sailing, it aims to champion diversity, equal opportunity, and sustainable development beyond the sport, collaborating with its ecosystem of partners and sponsors to drive meaningful impact.
Led by Ripple Racing (Pamela Lee's offshore racing brand), #empowHer is a two-year racing campaign running from 2025 to 2026. While deeply rooted in sailing, it aims to champion diversity, equal opportunity, and sustainable development beyond the sport, collaborating with its ecosystem of partners and sponsors to drive meaningful impact.
Pamela's two-year campaign leads up to the iconic 2026 Route du Rhum, a 3,500 nautical mile solo race from St. Malo to Guadeloupe, featuring 140 boats and over 1.9 million live viewers. Ahead of this, she will also compete in other offshore races across France, the UK, and Ireland, including the Transat Café L'Or, a 4,800 nautical mile double-handed transatlantic race from Le Havre to Martinique. Sponsored by DFDS, the #empowHer campaign will continue in 2026 with more Atlantic and Irish races, including the SSE Renewables Around Ireland Race, before taking part in the Route du Rhum.
Female participation in sports has been steadily on the rise in recent years due to increased visibility and support. A 2023 report by Sport Ireland showed that nearly two million adults in Ireland participate in sport weekly, with women's participation increasing by 6 per cent from 2022 to 2023, which has helped narrow the gender gap in sports participation to less than 3 per cent. However, challenges remain, specifically regarding higher dropout rates among adolescent girls. Recent studies indicate that girls are four times more likely to drop out of sports when they leave primary school, with 1 in 20 boys dropping out compared to 1 in 5 girls. By launching the #empowHer campaign in unison with DFDS, Pamela hopes to serve as a beacon of inspiration for young girls and to promote increased female participation and representation, not only in sailing but across all sports.
Reflecting on this year's racing season, Pamela Lee, offshore sailor and founder of Ripple Racing, said: "Like every athlete, I strive to perform at the pinnacle of my sport, and the Route du Rhum is often referred to as the 'queen of solo transatlantic races'. It's not just about reaching the finish line - it's about making my country, my supporters, and my partners proud. I want to be a role model, showing girls and women everywhere that they too can break barriers and achieve greatness. This dream would not be within reach without the unwavering support of sponsors like DFDS. Their belief in my vision and their commitment over the next two years make this shared journey both remarkable and deeply rewarding."
Speaking on the impact of women's sport, Maxime Grimard, Team Manager at Ripple Racing, said: "We've already seen the hugely positive impact that continual growth of women's sport has had, both towards equality and empowerment as well as advocacy for other important issues. Our objective is to play our part in this movement and ensure that our partners contribute to the conversation in a unique and meaningful way."
Commenting on the partnership, Gemma Griffin MBE, Vice President & Head of Global Crewing at DFDS, said: "We are determined to play our part in moving the needle and addressing the gender imbalance in the maritime industry. Supporting Pamela on this remarkable journey not only reflects this dedication but also highlights her emerging role as an ambassador for the maritime industry. Together, we have an opportunity to make a real impact and inspire the next generation. We can't wait to see where this partnership takes us."