 |
Krystyna Chojnowska-LiskiewiczPolish yachtswoman and shipbuilding engineer.
Date of Birth: 16.07.1936
Country:  Poland |
Content:
- Life and Achievements of Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz
- Early Life and Education
- Sailing Career
- Round-the-World Voyage
- Impact and Legacy
Life and Achievements of Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz
Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewiczwas a Polish yachtswoman and naval engineer who became the first woman to sail around the world alone in a sailboat. Her solo circumnavigation, which spanned 401 days from 1976 to 1978, was a groundbreaking achievement that paved the way for women in the world of sailing.
Early Life and Education
Krystyna was born in Warsaw, Poland, on July 16, 1938. After World War II, she moved with her family to the northern town of Ostróda, and later to Gdańsk, where she studied shipbuilding at the Gdańsk University of Technology.
Sailing Career
Krystyna began sailing at the age of 16. By 1960, she had become a sailing instructor, and in 1966, she obtained a yacht skipper's license. She led three all-female ocean cruises and completed 21 ocean and sea cruises in total, some with her husband. In 1967, she made a solo voyage to the Arctic latitudes.
Round-the-World Voyage
In 1975, the Polish Yachting Union announced its search for a woman to attempt a solo circumnavigation of the globe. Krystyna, known for her adventurous spirit and expertise in yachting and shipbuilding, was quickly chosen for the role.
Krystyna designed the sailboat, named "Mazurek," in collaboration with her husband. The boat was built with fiberglass, and its design took into account Krystyna's physical abilities.
On February 28, 1976, Krystyna departed from Las Palmas, Canary Islands, on her solo voyage around the world. She crossed the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and finally returned to Las Palmas on April 21, 1978, having covered 31,166 nautical miles (57,719 km) in 401 days.
Impact and Legacy
Krystyna's achievement proved that women were capable of undertaking such arduous solo journeys on par with men. Her voyage inspired other women to pursue sailing at a higher level. She documented her experiences in her book "Pierwsza dookoła świata" ("First Around the World"), which became a bestseller.
Krystyna's record was broken by Naomi James, who completed a solo circumnavigation in 272 days in 1978. However, Krystyna's achievement remains a significant milestone in the history of sailing.
Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz died in 2017, leaving behind a legacy as an inspiration and pioneer in the world of sailing.
