Atlantic Youth Trust is delighted to announce leading Irish offshore sailor Pamela Lee as our new Ambassador, as we join the campaign to help her make history at the 2026 Route du Rhum.
Pam is preparing to become the first Irish sailor ever to compete in the legendary Route du Rhum, one of the world’s most prestigious and demanding solo offshore races.
And now, she has officially qualified.
On Thursday, 1 October 2026, Atlantic Youth Trust will bring together Ireland’s sailing, business and wider community for a special fundraising evening at the National Maritime Museum in Dún Laoghaire, with one simple ambition:
LET’S GET PAM TO THE ROUTE DU RHUM.
Starting in Saint-Malo on 1 November 2026, the Route du Rhum will see Pam race solo across the Atlantic to Pointe-à-Pitre in Guadeloupe aboard her Class40 #EmpowHer.
Qualification represents a major milestone after years of racing, training and preparation, but getting to the starting line and delivering a competitive international offshore campaign requires significant financial and logistical support.
That is where we want Ireland to get behind her.
Pam’s appointment as an Atlantic Youth Trust Ambassador is about much more than sailing.
Her journey embodies many of the values at the heart of the Trust – courage, resilience, leadership, determination, adventure and the willingness to push beyond what you believe is possible.
Through Atlantic Youth Trust, we work to give young people opportunities to experience the sea, challenge themselves, develop confidence and leadership skills, and discover new possibilities for their futures.
Pam is living proof of where that sense of ambition can lead.
From learning to sail as a child in Ireland to competing within the highly competitive world of French offshore racing, she has steadily built an international career defined by determination and a willingness to break new ground.
In 2020, Pam set three world sailing records around Ireland, and through her #EmpowHer campaign she is also using offshore racing to increase the visibility of women in sailing and inspire the next generation to believe that they too can compete at the very highest level.
As an Ambassador, we look forward to working with Pam to bring that story directly to young people.
An Evening with Pamela Lee
To mark the partnership and help support the final push towards Saint-Malo, we will host a special fundraising evening on:
Thursday, 1 October 2026
From 6.30pm
National Maritime Museum, Dún Laoghaire
Guests will hear directly from Pam in an intimate conversation about her journey, the realities of competing at the highest level of offshore sailing, the road to the Route du Rhum and what it takes, physically, mentally, professionally and financially to prepare for one of the greatest challenges in ocean racing.
It will also be an opportunity for Ireland’s business, sporting, sailing and philanthropic communities to come together and ask one important question:
What can we do to help get Pam to that starting line?
Whether you are part of Ireland’s maritime community, a business looking to support an extraordinary Irish sporting story, an advocate for women in sport, or simply inspired by people prepared to take on seemingly impossible challenges, we want you to be part of the journey.
Pam has done the hard work. She has earned her qualification.
Now Ireland has an opportunity to get behind her as she prepares to make history.
Fill the room. Build the community. Back the campaign.
Let’s Get Pam to the Route du Rhum.
Get your tickets now:
