SUMMER 2019SW063Isabelle Autissier, born 1956, is
recognized as the first woman
to complete a solo competi-
tive circumnavigation, during
the BOC Challenge in 1990.
In the 1994-95 BOC Challenge,
Autissier’s boat, Ecureuil Poitou
Charentes II, dismasted south
of Australia, where she was
rescued. In the 1998-99 Around
Alone, Autissier was rescued
again, this time by fellow com-
petitor Giovanni Soldini, when
her boat PRB capsized west of
Cape Horn.
A PHOTO: JACQUES VAPILLON