Female pioneers

Early generation

Clare Frances MBE

I discovered Clare through her first book, Come Hell or High Water. She crossed the Atlantic single-handed twice and was the skipper of 11 crew in the Whitbread Round the World Race, in 1977. A female captain; her five year career in sailing was unplanned. The odyssey was an unsponsored and unsung solo voyage across the Atlantic. Soon after, she was offered sponsorship to take part in the Round Britain Race, sailing with fellow pioneer, Eve Bonham.

Ann Davidson

In 1952 Ann sailed a 23ft yacht singlehandedly from Plymouth, UK to Antigua. Originally she and her husband set off to cross the Atlantic in their 70ft converted fishing boat. The yacht was not ready, but they set off, only getting as far as Portland Bill. Already fatigued,