Isabelle Autissier

Isabelle Autissier (born 18 October 1956) is a French sailor, navigator, writer, and broadcaster. She is celebrated for being the first woman to have completed a solo world navigation in competition (BOC Challenge 1990–91). Isabelle Autissier was born in the suburbs of Paris. Her father, architect Jean Autissier, taught her and her sisters how to sail. She later graduated from L'ecole Argonomique School in Rennes with a degree in marine engineering.While competing in the 1994–95 BOC Challenge, Autissier's boat Ecureuil Poitou Charentes II was dismasted and severely damaged approximately 900 nautical miles (1,700 km) south of Adelaide, Australia. Autissier was rescued on 1 January 1995 by a Seahawk helicopter launched from the Royal Australian Navy frigate, HMAS Darwin.She competed in the 1997–98 Whitbread Round the World Race on board EF Education. In the 1998–99 Around Alone race Autissier was rescued by fellow competitor Giovanni Soldini when her boat PRB capsized approximately 1,900 nautical miles (3,500 km) west of Cape Horn.