model yacht racing association

Home  News  Interview with Mike Wyatt, President of the American Model Yachting Association

Interview with Mike Wyatt, President of the American Model Yachting Association

Is This Really Sailboat Racing? Heck Yes!

US Sailing: Tell us about AMYA?

Mike Wyatt: The American Model Yachting Association was founded 50 years ago as an informal organization, using a newsletter to communicate to and connect with its members.  Currently, membership stands at approximately 2,250 members, though there are many more RC boat owners/sailors out there. We sanction about 30 different classes of radio controlled boats.

• 19 one design classes that are sanctioned by AMYA – rules that one design in nature
• 8 Development classes are very permissive in rules. Many are home built.
• A few vintage groups with boat designs before 1970, as far back as 1900.

US Sailing: What’s the history of model boat racing?

Mike Wyatt: Model sailboat racing started in the 1870’s. Back then, the boats were free-sailed, set and released by the skipper, sailed across the pond to an assistant who reset the sails and sent the boat back the other direction. After that there were mechanical means of steering, much like the early version of “autopilot” gear used on cruising boats.

Around 1970, radio-controlled sailing began to take over, and is now almost 100%. Although we still have sailors that race vintage boats using vane gear control.

• The oldest, still-active model sailing clubs in the U.S. are the Central Park MYC (Model Yacht Club) in New York City, and the San Francisco MYC Established in 1896. But model sailing started in the USA, in the New York area in 1872. There were three clubs that were eventually absorbed by the current one in Central Park.

Mike Wyatt: I have heard sailboat racing described as “a chess game on the water,” with the strategy and tactics determining makes a difference between winning or not. Radio sailing is the “same game with different pieces.”

Radio sailing is low cost. You can get going with as little as $500 for everything a person needs including the boat, radio equipment, batteries and charger. The most expensive ($5000-6000) is a J-Boat design approximately over 100 pounds, about 8 feet long, and an open design heavy enough that the class generally requires two people to launch. One of the most popular “J Boats” is “ Ranger ” a model of the 1930’s America’s Cup winner, but with a Marconi rig.

Due to the low costs, it is feasible to own many RC classes. I have a friend who owns (per his wife’s count) over 50 RC sailboats, and several boats in some of the classes.

Radio sailing can be done by anyone, regardless of age, gender, or physical ability. We have radio sailors who are in wheelchairs, on scooters, and many who sail comfortably seated in a folding chair.

US Sailing: Is it really racing, or is it more like playing video games?

Mike Wyatt: Radio controlled racing has very little resemblance to a video game. You are still outside, in the wind and elements, watching an actual boat that you have to tune for the conditions and race around a course. I see people who were full scale sailors before, actually “ooching” with their transmitter – hands and bodies moving around as they try to “ooch” their boat along!

US Sailing: What are the key characteristics of the top model boat racers?

Mike Wyatt: In full scale sailing, physical aspects are different – you feel the boat. In radio sailing you only have your eyes and concentration is critical. Tuning is done before you launch.  Model boats have vangs, adjustable backstays, adjustable mast rake and rig tension, and sheeting angles. All the same controls that are on a full scale boat need to be adjusted pre sail in model competition. If you get it wrong, its painful and you lose. You cannot make changes until between races, and then they have to be fast before the next start.

US Sailing: Do they practice much?

Mike Wyatt: Exactly like full scale sailors, the best RC sailors tend to have sailed more than the ones who perform at a lower level. We have past World Champions, Olympic sailors, and even one past Swedish Olympic Team Coach. Many top-level sailors from full scale racing are part of our sport. Bruce Farr, Bob Johnstone, Chuck Millican, and many other very good sailors are RC sailors.

On the other hand, Peter Feldman (to my knowledge) was never a full scale sailor. But he is currently a National Champion in several RC Classes, and has only been in RC sailing for less than 5 years!

Because radio sailing is easier, you can “go sailing” in a one-hour block of time, even for just a few minutes. Many radio sailors sail more than they ever did in their full scale days. It is not impossible for RC sailors from some clubs to put in six days a week racing, in up to six to eight classes! My club (Western Reserve MYC in Northeast Ohio) will do over 600 heats/races per year – in seven months’ time. Equate to 80-90 races a month racing two to three hours a day. The less active clubs sail two days a week; the more active sail six days a week, and two classes a day. The bonus is that RC racing is very family friendly since racers can get home in a couple of hours to do other activities.

US Sailing: Do they play by the rules?

Mike Wyatt: Sailors, as you know, are competitive!

US Sailing: Speaking of the rules, how different are the rules to the regular Racing Rules of Sailing?

Mike Wyatt: Yes, we sail by the same Racing Rules of Sailing as used all over the World, with just a few variances because of the nature of our sport.

Appendix E of the RRS states the variances used in radio sailing-

• “The Zone” is four lengths, not three.
• “There are no Protest Flags – a racer protests verbally since he or she is on land within a few feet of the other sailors.
• The Start is signaled using a recorded countdown of two minutes – but usually just One Minute, No flags.
• Many clubs allow touching Marks (except the Start or Finish marks), because you are not ON the boat to see the Mark as well as you would in full scale sailing.

US Sailing: Do you find that model boat racers tend to race other boats too?

Mike Wyatt: About 50% of the sailors from my RC club have never been on a full scale sailboat.  I think that active full scale sailors have no significant advantage from being full scale racers.  The most obvious advantage for the full scale sailor might lie in the tuning aspects of the boats.  Kids, women, and folks with physical challenges do not have a weight or strength disadvantage.  Many of us sit down while racing.

Coaching is routinely done by the more experienced, gold fleet sailors for the less experienced.  There are training sessions where these sailors work with those who want to learn and get better in RC boats. These sessions primarily involve tuning and sometimes include boat handling drills.

US Sailing: What are the most popular boats and where are they being sailed?

Mike Wyatt: The #1 boat in the USA and Canada is the Soling 1 Meter. There have been more than 10,000 Soling 1 Meter kits sold, and 687 of the 2,250 AMYA Members, own over 1,000 Soling 1 Meter boats. It is approximately a 1/8 scale model of the International Soling. The Soling is sold as a Kit that takes maybe 30-40 hours to build. But with the popularity of the class, it is easy to find a used RC Soling, and like any one design, a good used one is as competitive as a new one.

And, in every club there is likely someone who will build a kit boat for you, for around $700.  Divide by the hours and you see that professional building is a labor of love. The guy building a Soling for you does that for around $ 10 an hour!

The second largest and fastest-growing RC Class is the Dragon Flight 95. The DF95 has 560 AMYA Members owning over 600 boats. This boat is a strict one design, sails well, is light and quick, and has an active class in terms of clubs and regattas. DF-95s as well as the smaller DF-65 are being sailed at full scale yacht clubs as one design fleets. The 95s were even sailed at the 2019 San Diego NOOD regatta! The 2020 San Diego NOOD DF-95 event was also scheduled- but was canceled due to COVID-19. The growing popularity of this one-design is also because it is sold almost ready to sail. You can put one together in a couple of hours, just knowing how to tie a few knots. And it is a great value at a little under $400.

Another is the RC Laser, pretty close to the prototype model of Bruce Kirby’s design, is actually a little longer than 1 meter. It is a strict OD and ready to sail out of the box.

Just like in the society as a whole, people are looking for things that are ready to go, rather than having to be built. So, a used boat, a kit or a ready to sail boat is an early choice people have to make.

US Sailing: How would you characterize the average model boat sailor?

Mike Wyatt: We have no real statistics. But I would say the average AMYA Member is in his or her early 60s, so many are retired. But we have sailors that range from young teens to mid-80s. Just like full scale sailors, we like to have a good time. But the AMYA has clubs in over 30 States and Canada, so there is a wide variety of people, from all backgrounds, who are active RC sailors.

I raced International FJs (Flying Juniors) for 40 years, was the Class President and the Chief Measurer, and have raced RC since 2007. Once I picked up a transmitter, I gave my wetsuit and PFD away!

US Sailing: How complicated is the equipment?  DO people change gear regularly, new sails or other parts/pieces?

Mike Wyatt: Not complicated at all. Most RC boats have just two servos, one that controls the sheeting angle, and another that controls the rudder. The boat has a receiver to get signals from a transmitter, which is in the hands of the skipper. Range is about ¾ miles – more than you would ever want.

Just like in full scale boats, sails are faster when they have good shape. Most RC boats use Dacron sails, although some allow mylar and some less costly ones use nylon sails. A full suit of sails, main and jib, is around $80-$150.

US Sailing: Are some venues preferable? Ponds, pools, bays, rivers, current, no current?

Mike Wyatt: RC sailing is possible on almost any body of water, and in winds from a near calm to over 20 MPH. Boats can be tuned to handle more wind, and some classes have multiple rigs for different wind strength, even pools with fans will allow winter sailing! Set the fans up with “offset” for preferred tacks.

US Sailing: How do you set courses and handle starts? Is there a race committee?

Mike Wyatt: Races are generally 5-15 minutes in length. Our club sails 12 races a day! That is another advantage of RC sailing – lots of action. A 1-minute Start sequence on a 12-15 foot line with 12 boats can be bedlam. So, we get a lot more starts, mark roundings, and close competition than is typical in full scale racing. Even more than collegiate racing!

There is a race director who does not complete. He/she sets the course, starts the clock on a one- or two-minute cycle and we are off! Most big regatta courses use W/L courses of 100 – 150-foot legs. In club races, most are triangle courses. Normally, championship fleets will sail full legs, starting at the leeward end, and finishing in the middle. Club races might start and finish in middle.

US Sailing: Is it difficult to get involved? What does it take? Is it expensive?

Mike Wyatt: Easy. First, go the AMYA Website: www.theamya.org

On page 1 of the website, there is a link to the AMYA’s 200 th Issue to Model Yachting , our quarterly magazine, and the only magazine on our sport in the world. This issue was the 200 th one of our magazine, and also celebrated the 50 th Anniversary of the AMYA. It is online, free, and all-color. Issue #200 will give you a great look at the sport, the history, and the classes in radio sailing. Click Here.

Anyone who is interested should look at what AMYA Clubs are available in their immediate area, and then contact them for a visit. Click here .

Every club welcomes new people and has a list of available used boats to buy (if not actual club-owned boats available for sale or to borrow). The club members will give a prospect good guidance on how the get started, and let you sail an RC boat. Many will even allow a prospective sailor to race one of their boats in a club race. Come join us – our mantra is KISMIF – “Keep it Simple; Make it FUN!”

* All photos in the article are courtesy of AMYA .

Copyright ©2018-2024 United States Sailing Association. All rights reserved. US Sailing is a 501(c)3 organization. Website designed & developed by Design Principles, Inc. -->

SMALL TITLE

International Model Boat Racing Association

 by  racers for  racers, news and information....

Nitro Calibration

2024 World Championship

Rule updates

H & O World Championships 2025

iMBRA 2024 Nitro Limit

OH European Championships 2023

2023 European Championships

iMBRA H+O Euros 2023

Maine Model Yacht Club

(amya club #396).

Welcome aboard the Maine Model Yacht Club website !

MMYC, which is registered with the American Model Yachting Association as Club #396, was created to promote the designing, building, sailing, and racing of model yachts, both sail and power. The Club strongly encourages good sportsmanship and fair play, and seeks to develop our members’ skills and understanding of model yachting.  Come join us or come watch us – all are welcome!   You can find our Membership Application 

We currently race two classes of model sailboat:

DragonForce 65s in beautiful Camden Harbor every Sunday in the winter, spring, and fall, and in a gorgeous quarry in Rockland every Wednesday in the summer.  Yes, every week … year round … in Maine!

DragonFlite 95s (and other 1-meter-ish sized boats) at the same great venues the first race date of every month.

You can check out the complete projected schedules 

Our members have many other class boats and vintage yachts, both sail and powered.  In addition to racing DF65s and DF95s, we also participate in other events, such as the Maine Boats & Homes Show, the Camden Windjammer Festival, and the Belfast Harbor Fest.

For race recaps, photos and videos, schedule adjustments, and other updates, you can follow us on Facebook (a public page not requiring log-in) or ask to be put on our email mailing list by contacting Commodore Van Peski at  [email protected] .

• MYA Districts
• MYA Ranking Lists

RG65 TT1 & TT2 13/14th April Postponed

Mya council meeting 2nd april 2024.

Report on the Chipstead DF95 Invicta Open Meeting 2nd March 2024

Radio and free sailing in the uk.

Our sport can be split in to 2 disciplines, Radio Sailing and Free Sailing and although both are still popular it is Radio Sailing that can be most easily found on a lake or water near you.

Today’s yachts range from home built yachts whose owners get great pleasure from the building process, collectors and restorers who through their efforts keep the history and knowledge in our sport, to the top end competitive skippers who race their carbon fibre and kevlar boats at local, national and international level.

Whatever level you wish to be involved there are people who will share your passion and commitment.

Interested?

Why not check out the rest of our site and use the club list to find a club near to you, make yourself known and talk to a skipper, most are more than willing to discuss our sport and even let you have a go.

The Model Yachting Association (MYA) is the representative body for Radio and Free sailing in the UK and has been delegated responsibility for the administration of Radio & Free Sailing within the UK. We are affiliated to, and recognised by, the Royal Yachting Association  and the  International Radio Sailing Association (IRSA)  providing direct links to  World Sailing and enabling us to have influence on the rules governing our sport.

Two Islands RYC have informed us they will have to postpone RG65 TT1 and TT2…

Dear MYA Members In line with the MYA Constitution, I would like to announce that…

Thank you to all the participants for turning up at Chipstead on a damp and…

Our Facebook Downwind Group Feed

A day of two halves at Fleetwood!! Sunday the 17th March saw the first of Fleetwood’s 2024 IOM Open events, the annual Mayoral Cup. With a few late entries and cancellations, it saw a total of 8 visitors from around the country welcomed and joined by 10 local Fleetwood skippers in the clubhouse. The morning started with grey skies and almost no breeze. What little there was came from the South/SSE direction swirling over the houses, grass banking and the car park with notable flat spots across the lake. The PRO, Shaun Holbeche, and his lakeside assistants plus intrepid boatman with Bob Jolley on the keyboard had virtually no choice but to set a reaching start from the clubhouse end of the lake - up about three quarters of the lake to a gate before zig-zagging across the lake to try and produce some beats during the races. Waterproofs, rig covers and “A” rigs were the standard requirement for starting. Two of the very strong Birkenhead based group of skippers managed to find sources of constant pressure of wind most of the fleet were unable to find with Brad Gibson and his new design doing better than anyone but chased hard by Graham Elliot. Third across the line in the first race was Gordon Bayliff from the Fleetwood. This set the tone for most of the morning’s sailing with Brad and Graham (Elliot) somewhat dominating the races with various other skippers appearing in the top five but also lower in the rankings as it was easy to find a calm part of the lake and the various different paths tried to try and find some wind produced rather variable results. As the races progressed Derek Priestley and the visitors Peter Baldwin (Birkenhead) and Dorian Crease (Datchet) eased out of the pack with more consistent results. Dorian in particular got to grips with sailing at Fleetwood, improved his results as the day progressed and notably was the only one who managed two race wins with the rest belonging to Brad. In the late morning things started to warm up and most waterproofs were dispensed with but we unfortunately lost Mark Butler (Fleetwood) to a winch problem before the PRO called for a lunch break after 8 races. During lunch the wind got stronger and swung closer to South West and the sun appeared. With the wind blowing almost down the lake this allowed the PRO and Boatman to reset the course with a traditional upwind first leg run diagonally across the lake. The wind direction and strength, significantly higher up in the A rigs range, gave the visitors a taste of just how good Fleetwood can be for racing compared to the somewhat frustrating start to the day. Brad and Graham continued where they left off in the morning at/near the front with Dorian catching up to Peter and Derek overall as the day progressed. The occasional shift causing some serious place changes on the upwind legs. The rest of the Fleetwood "pack" continued their close battles with Mark Rose, Olly Murray, Peter Iles, Paul Middleton and Graham Butler joining Gordon with spells near the front. The stronger conditions in the afternoon gave these skippers a bit of an advantage over the visitors with Graham Marsh and David Stuart (Ashton Quays), Terry Reed (South Lakes) and John Crix (Eastbourne) plus local Tony Wilson battling to get into this mid-fleet pack consistently. The final race ended up pivotally for Dorian who managed to pip Derek by a few places resulting with a one point advantage overall to record a well-deserved third place with Graham (Elliot) in second with Brad winning with what was called a “miserly 12 points from 14 races” during the prize giving. Brad kindly thanked the race team and the Fleetwood club before everyone departed. Full results are attached. ... See More See Less

• Comments: 0

0 Comments Comment on Facebook

www.mya-uk.org.uk/report-on-the-chipstead-df95-invicta-open-meeting-2nd-march-2024/ ... See More See Less

Now you know what it feels like in our boats 🤣🤣 ... See More See Less

www.mya-uk.org.uk/report-on-the-chipstead-marblehead-ranking-1-open-meeting-9th-march-2024/ ... See More See Less

Report on the Chipstead Marblehead Ranking 1 Open Meeting 9th March 2024 – Model Yachting Association Great Britain

www.mya-uk.org.uk

Tight racing at Lincoln ... See More See Less

I.O.M Winter series , round ten and final round 17th March 2024

lincolnradiosailingclub.com

Last call for Lincoln ... See More See Less

Last call for Lincoln

dfracinguk.com

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site.

WELCOME TO THE PAST

Register a boat, latest posts, for sale: santa barbara, for sale: berger self-righting catamaran, for sale: american m bingo, for sale: skipjack #97.

• Races/Events
• Rule Books/Records
• Roostertail Newsletter
• Memberships/Applications
• Forms/Boater Information
• Officers, Districts & Clubs

You're On The Clock!

Serving Model Boaters Since 1949

What is The IMPBA?

The International Model Power Boat Association is a non-profit organization that was started in 1949 by a dedicated group of model boat enthusiasts.  They created the organization to foster model powerboat building and to encourage and assist in the formation of clubs.  We provide a uniform set of rules for racing and records.  Go to an IMPBA event anywhere in the US and Canada, and you can expect racing rules and event rules to be consistent.  We have 14 Districts and an additional District 21 established for everyone outside the US and Canada.

Why Should I Join?

RC Boating is a fun and exciting family hobby whether you are racing or simply running your boats with others! The best place to run RC boats is on an IMPBA pond devoted to boating—making your boating time safer and more enjoyable. The IMPBA organization provides General Liability insurance coverage to its members while they are participating on a covered pond. Join a club, or just join IMPBA, and you’ll meet a great group of people who have the same passion for building and running boats!

Our Mission

International Model Power Boat Association, Inc. shall be a non-profit organization whose purpose is the fostering of Model Power Boat Building, the advancement of Model Power Boat Racing, and the coordination of member clubs, to the end that there shall be uniform rules and classes of boats.

Its members shall encourage and assist in the formation of clubs and similar associations, provide recognition of Records established within the rules of the IMPBA, and foster safety, fellowship and sportsmanship in the ranks of model boaters.

Announcements

Join for 2024.

Complete your membership application for the year, and pay your fees.  CLICK HERE.

Join for 2024 for just $60.  

Add a Spouse or Child (under 18 years of age living in your household) for just $10 each additional. If you have already renewed and want to add members to your existing account, please contact the office.

Single-Event Fee

Only available to PAID members of other organizations who wish to participate at an IMPBA event. These fees will no longer be accepted at race sites! Please submit a form via the Memberships/Applications page by selecting the Single-Event options, and pay using PayPal payment system. 

Rule Book Updates

Rule Book is updated for 2024. Please review sections with January 2024 revision dates. 

First refuelling for Russia’s Akademik Lomonosov floating NPP

!{Model.Description}

The FNPP includes two KLT-40S reactor units. In such reactors, nuclear fuel is not replaced in the same way as in standard NPPs – partial replacement of fuel once every 12-18 months. Instead, once every few years the entire reactor core is replaced with and a full load of fresh fuel.

The KLT-40S reactor cores have a number of advantages compared with standard NPPs. For the first time, a cassette core was used, which made it possible to increase the fuel cycle to 3-3.5 years before refuelling, and also reduce by one and a half times the fuel component in the cost of the electricity produced. The operating experience of the FNPP provided the basis for the design of the new series of nuclear icebreaker reactors (series 22220). Currently, three such icebreakers have been launched.

The Akademik Lomonosov was connected to the power grid in December 2019, and put into commercial operation in May 2020.

Electricity generation from the FNPP at the end of 2023 amounted to 194 GWh. The population of Pevek is just over 4,000 people. However, the plant can potentially provide electricity to a city with a population of up to 100,000. The FNPP solved two problems. Firstly, it replaced the retiring capacities of the Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant, which has been operating since 1974, as well as the Chaunskaya Thermal Power Plant, which is more than 70 years old. It also supplies power to the main mining enterprises located in western Chukotka. In September, a 490 km 110 kilovolt power transmission line was put into operation connecting Pevek and Bilibino.

Image courtesy of TVEL

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy Policy
• Newsletter sign up
• Digital Edition
• Editorial Standards

Sailor Cole Brauer makes history as the first American woman to race solo around the world

Aboard her 40-foot racing boat First Light ,  29-year-old Cole Brauer just became the first American woman to race nonstop around the world by herself.

The New York native pulled into A Coruña, Spain, on Thursday after a treacherous 30,000-mile journey that took 130 days.

She thanked a cheering crowd of family and fans who had been waiting for her on shore.

“This is really cool and so overwhelming in every sense of the word,” she exclaimed, before drinking Champagne from her trophy.

The 5-foot-2 powerhouse placed second out of 16 avid sailors who competed in the Global Solo Challenge, a circumnavigation race that started in A Coruña with participants from 10 countries. The first-of-its-kind event   allowed a wide range of boats to set off in successive departures based on performance characteristics. Brauer started on Oct. 29, sailing down the west coast of Africa, over to Australia, and around the tip of South America before returning to Spain.

Brauer is the only woman and the youngest competitor in the event — something she hopes young girls in and out of the sport can draw inspiration from.

“It would be amazing if there was just one girl that saw me and said, ‘Oh, I can do that too,’” Brauer said of her history-making sail.

It’s a grueling race, and more than half of the competitors have dropped out so far. One struck something that caused his boat to flood, and another sailor had to abandon his ship after a mast broke as a severe storm was moving in.

The four-month journey is fraught with danger, including navigating the three “Great Capes” of Africa, Australia and South America. Rounding South America’s Cape Horn, where the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans meet, is often likened to climbing Mount Everest because of its perfect storm of hazards — a sharp rise in the ocean floor and whipping westerly winds push up massive waves. Combined with the frigid waters and stray icebergs, the area is known as a graveyard for ships, according to NASA. Brauer  said  she was “so unbelievably stoked” when she sailed past Cape Horn in January.

Marco Nannini, organizer of the Global Solo Challenge, said the comparison to scaling Mount Everest doesn’t capture the difficulty of the race. Sailing solo means not just being a skipper but a project manager — steering the boat, fixing equipment, understanding the weather and maintaining one’s physical health.

Nannini cited the relatively minuscule number of people who have sailed around the world solo — 186, according to the International Association of Cape Horners — as evidence of the challenges that competitors face. More than 6,000 people have climbed Mount Everest, according to  High Adventure Expeditions .

Brauer stared down 30-foot waves that had enough force to throw her across the boat. In a scare caught on camera, she badly injured her rib   near the halfway point of the event. At another point, her team in the U.S. directed Brauer to insert an IV into her own arm due to dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea.

She was able to stay in constant communication with members of her team, most of whom are based in New England,   and keep herself entertained with Netflix and video calls with family through Starlink satellites.   That’s also how Brauer was able to use Zoom to connect with NBC News for an interview, while she was sailing about 1,000 miles west of the Canary Islands.

While Brauer was technically alone on First Light, she had the company of 450,000 followers on Instagram, where she frequently got candid about life on an unforgiving sea while reflecting on her journey.

“It all makes it worth it when you come out here, you sit on the bow, and you see how beautiful it is,” she said in an Instagram video, before panning the camera to reveal the radiant sunrise.

Brauer grew up on Long Island but didn’t learn to sail until she went to college in Hawaii. She traded in her goal of becoming a doctor for life on the water. But she quickly learned making a career as a sailor is extremely difficult, with professional racers often hesitant to welcome a 100-pound young woman on their team.

Even when she was trying to find sponsors for the Global Solo Challenge, she said a lot of people “wouldn’t touch her with a 10-foot pole” because they saw her as a “liability.”

Brauer’s message to the skeptics and naysayers? “Watch me.”

“I push so much harder when someone’s like, ‘No, you can’t do that,’ or ‘You’re too small,’” Brauer explained.

“The biggest asset is your mental strength, not the physical one,” Nannini said. “Cole is showing everyone that.”

Brauer hopes to continue competing professionally and is already eyeing another around-the-world competition, but not before she gets her hands on a croissant and cappuccino.

“My mouth is watering just thinking about that.”

Emilie Ikeda is an NBC News correspondent.

10 Rater Class

​description.