SAILING-JAMES-LAWSON-ARTHAUD

Skippers Dame Naomi James of New Zealand (L) (02 March 1949-), US Judith Lawson (C) and French sailboat racer Florence Arthaud pose 04 June 1980 for a photograph during the last days of preparations in Plymouth before the Transat Race departure. James was the first woman to sail single-handed (ie. solo) around the world via Cape Horn. She finished her voyage around the globe on 08 June 1978 after 272 days, thus improving Sir Francis Chichester's solo round-the-world sailing record by two days. James was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1979 in recognition of her achievements. AFP PHOTO JEAN-PIERRE PREVEL (Photo by JEAN-PIERRE PREVEL / AFP) (Photo by JEAN-PIERRE PREVEL/AFP via Getty Images)