
Women who conquered sailing
The role played by women in the history of sailing, has been underestimated through ages. It was related to many sailors' superstitions. For hundreds of years, the presence of women on vessels has been considered a cause of misfortune. Women distracted the crew, made the gods angry or the vessel jealous. In time, it appeared that women are not only skillful sailors, but also have a great impact on the development of sailing
Although the first women sailed approx. 200 years ago, like the famous Grace O’Malley, later named the Irish “queen of pirates”, they started to conquer the oceans and the seas not earlier than in the last century. It is worth to recall the most famous of them on the Women's Day.
Let me introduce a woman who was the first to circumnavigate the globe on her own, with no stopping or port calls. The Australian did it in 1988, at the age of 34. Her journey lasted 189 days, what gave her the record in the fastest circumnavigation by a woman!
However, it was our countrywoman who paved the way in women's sailing. Nearly a hundred years ago, in 1936, she circumnavigated the globe on her own as the first woman in history. Her journey started on the Canary Islands and lasted 401 days!
Equally impressive is the achievement of a 21-year-old sailor woman from New Zealand who in 2010 became the youngest person who circumnavigated the globe on her own. With the help of her family and the sailing society, she managed to do it within 518 days. Impressive, don't you think?
This 74-year-old British woman is an example of great ambitions. For several years, she's been trying to circumnavigate the world on her own without any halt. For the time being, her achievement is a lonely cruise around the world. Jeanne proves age is no barrier.
Ellen born also in the UK in 2005, sailed around the globe within 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds, setting the record. She beat her forerunner by over a day!
1. Kay Cotte

2. Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz

3. Laura Dekker

4. Jeanne Socrates

5. Ellen MacArthur

