Born: 1936
Died: 2021 (Poland)
Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz (15 July 1936 – 13 June 2021) was a Polish naval engineer and sailor, known for being the first woman to have sailed single-handed (solo) around the world. Her remarkable accomplishment mirrored that of Joshua Slocum, who achieved the same feat earlier. Chojnowska-Liskiewicz embarked on her journey on 28 March 1976, departing from the Canary Islands, and returned there on 21 April 1978, completing a challenging circumnavigation of 31,166 nautical miles (57,719 km) in 401 days.
Chojnowska-Liskiewicz accomplished her incredible voyage aboard the Mazurek, a Conrad 32 sloop built in Poland. The Mazurek had a length of 9.51 meters (31.2 ft), a beam of 2.70 meters (8.86 ft), and a sail area of 35 square meters (376.7 ft²). The boat’s construction team was headed by Chojnowska-Liskiewicz’s husband, showcasing her close collaboration and shared passion for sailing.
Setting sail from the Canary Islands, Chojnowska-Liskiewicz crossed the vast Atlantic Ocean, arriving at Barbados before navigating through the Caribbean Sea to reach the Panama Canal. From there, she continued her journey across the Pacific Ocean, making stops at breathtaking destinations such as Tahiti and Fiji on her way to Australia. After reaching Australia, she then sailed westward across the Indian Ocean via Mauritius. As she sailed north after passing the Cape of Good Hope, Chojnowska-Liskiewicz crossed her outbound route on 20 March 1978, at latitude 16° 08.5′ north and longitude 35° 50′ west. Finally, on 21 April 1978, she triumphantly returned to the port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, completing her extraordinary voyage after covering the remarkable distance of 31,166 nautical miles (57,719 km) in 401 days.
Chojnowska-Liskiewicz’s achievement brought her newfound recognition and admiration. Initially, the impact of her journey waned, and she experienced a period of relative obscurity. However, as time went on, her remarkable accomplishment garnered the recognition it deserved, and she became a national hero in Poland once again.
Although Chojnowska-Liskiewicz became the first woman to complete a single-handed circumnavigation, she faced fierce competition from other talented sailors. Naomi James, in particular, nearly matched her achievement, finishing her own solo voyage around the world on 8 June 1978. James’ journey was notable in its own right, completing a fast circumnavigation of just 272 days, surpassing Sir Francis Chichester’s solo round-the-world sailing record by two days. James also became the first woman to sail single-handedly along the clipper route, following a course eastward and south of the three great capes, starting and finishing in the English Channel, a requirement for speed records.
Honors and awards:
– Polonia Restituta Commander’s Cross
Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz’s unprecedented achievement marked a significant milestone not only for women in sailing but for adventurers and explorers worldwide. Her courage, determination, and remarkable sailing skills continue to inspire generations of individuals, showcasing the indomitable spirit of women in history.