South African sailor Vuyisile Jaca is still pinching herself, after appearing on the World Sailing Awards’ World Sailor of the Year nomination list. “Unbelievable,” she told SABC Sport, “I look at the nomination list every morning just to see if it really is me, like they didn’t make a mistake.”

The 25-year old from KwaMashu, Durban, made history earlier this year as part of the first all-female crew to conquer the Ocean Globe Race, making her the first Black African woman to win the around-the-world sailing challenge. She and her team sailed the globe in a remarkable 153 days, two hours, 16 minutes, and 53 seconds.

Her journey into the world of sailing started in high school, thanks to a non-profit called Sail Africa, which ignited her love for the sport. “The nomination itself feels like a win,” Jaca says, sharing that it’s a bittersweet victory. “I wish my parents were still alive to witness this.”

While her list of accomplishments includes major races like the Vasco da Gama, MSC, and Tuzi Tekwini, the reality on land has been challenging. “I’ve been trying to get myself back to being a normal land person,” she laughed. “It has been quite challenging. I’ve sailed all these races, but I have been struggling to get myself employed as I don’t have a source of income.”

Jaca dreams of a stable career in sailing, hoping her nomination can open doors for her. Despite the hurdles, Jaca remains determined to make her mark and secure more opportunities in the industry. She’s inspired by the thought of young girls following in her footsteps, believing that with hard work, her dreams can still unfold. “I’m still trying to work my way to getting more opportunities in the industry,” she noted, hopeful that this nomination might be just the boost she needs.