Georgia and Diego are a Brazilian couple who have been sailing the world for the past six years. Their  Youtube channel Unforgettable Sailing gives wonderful insight into their nomadic lifestyle cruising the world. After winning the 2020 #CRUISINGWITHULLMAN Competition Georgia and Diego joined the Ullman Sails family as our newest ambassadors.

For our latest Women in Sailing feature, we catch up with Georgia to find more about her life in this incredible sport.

How did you get into sailing?

I was born in a city far from the sea but I always loved it. I used to spend the summers at the beach and when I graduated from high school I moved close to the ocean but would appreciate it from land at the beach. When I started dating Diego (my husband today) he introduced me to Unforgettable 1, an old wooden sailboat that had been in his family for years. He took me for my first sail and I must confess that I enjoyed it but was also very scared when the boat heeled. From there I started sailing with him on the weekends and little by little I felt more comfortable.

What do you sail today and where?

Time has passed and it’s been nearly 10 years since my first sail in that classical sailboat. Six years ago we set sail from South Brazil, crossed to the Caribbean, sailed the ABCs, Colombia, and Panamá. From there we crossed the canal in 2019 and sailed all the way to French Polynesia where I have been cruising for the last 2 years. Right now I’m on the Island of Moorea in our current boat and home Unforgettable 3, a North Wind 435 monohull sloop which is 43ft.

What is your greatest sailing moment?

I have to say the Pacific Crossing, from Galápagos to French Polynesia. 19 days in the middle of the biggest ocean in the world with my own boat. It was a huge achievement for me that I never imaged I would get to do. It took a lot of planning and preparation but it all paid off, it was a nice ride, and to arrive at the South Pacific Islands is a dream come true for every cruiser.

What do you love most about sailing?

I love to travel, to discover new cultures and meet new people, and to be able to do it with my home only powered by the wind is the most amazing thing I can imagine. To move from one place to the other through the oceans with the forces of nature is magical. I also love that when I’m sailing I’m focused on the present moment. On long passages, there’s not much you can do, especially without the internet, but it’s in these moments that I am able to live one day at a time and that’s all that matters.

What do you find most challenging about sailing?

Sailing can be very challenging. For me it pushes me out of my comfort zone, I have to face my fears and cannot hide from them. I need to be present, accept my responsibilities, and do my part. When the weather is not good or something breaks I have to be there, give my best, and cannot run away.

What is it like sailing as a family?

Our daughter Isla is only 4 months old now and we have sailed small passages with her so far. We are still getting used to life with a baby on board but certainly, it has changed a lot. It’s different because now I have to focus on her too so it’s a lot of work, sailing, and taking care of a baby. I cannot enjoy it as much as before but it’s a blessing to have the opportunity to show her the world from a sailboat. I think this is a great gift we can give her, to live close to nature, to meet different people and see this beautiful planet sailing through the oceans.

Do you have any advice for other women looking to get into the sport?

I started sailing because of my husband but I wish I had been introduced to sailing before. It’s still a more masculine environment but day by day women are occupying this space too and there’s no reason why we cannot. It’s beautiful to see a boat gliding through the water with the sails up. This is a nice silence, only the noise of the sea and the boat. If you want to get into sailing but don’t know how to, try to go to sailing clubs and meet people that are into sailing, maybe take some classes and see if you enjoy it, get involved in the sailing community. At the very least you will make some great friends.