Jeanne Socrates in Cairns: Pam Douch

from Women Who Sail Australia Issue 2 2021

Ivy’s Escape: Lanise Edwards

Jeanne Socrates visits WWSA Cairns

By Pam Douch

2020 has been a year of trials and tribulations for all of us, some more than others. But in September, the Cairns WWSA members had a special treat in the form of a visit from Jeanne Socrates, the oldest woman to sail s olo, no n-s to p ar o und t he wo rld.

This diminutive woman can only be described as a powerhouse in the world of sailing in her quiet unassuming way. Born in Lymington, UK, and based in Victoria, BC Canada, Jeanne has for the bulk of this year been “homeless” due to COVID-19. Jeanne was visiting Australia (and due to speak at the annual WWSA Gathering on the Bay at Port Stephens in March) when the COVID lockdowns began.

Not being a Canadian citizen, she has been unable to return to her home. Instead, she has spent the last five months travelling around the outback of Australia, driving from the southern corner of WA, along the coast, through the Kimberley, into the Territory, down to Alice Springs and Uluru, back up to the three ways and across to Queensland where she headed to the Gulf and Karumba before arriving in Cairns, after travelling in excess of 10,000 km. She has probably seen more of our country than most Australians!

For a person who did not start sailing until she was 48, Jeanne has log ged over 100,000 miles during four circumnavigations, two of which were solo non-stop. Her tenacity to see through tasks to the end can be exemplified by the number of breakages she had on her last circumnavigation. These would have tested anyone’s resolve, and probably pushed most of us into calling it quits, but for Jeanne it was just another reason to see the task through to its completion. Some of the problems she had to deal with included knock-downs, instrument failure, shredding her genoa, climbing the mast to repair her wind instruments, and tearing her main. The three metre tear in her main happened just off the Falkland Islands and it wasn’t until after rounding the southern-most cape of Stewart Island, NZ, that it was repaired. Anyone who sails the Southern Ocean is up there in my book, but to do the majority of it without a main is a mammoth achievement. Experiencing all these setbacks added another dimension to her voyage, she was now two months past her scheduled arrival which meant facing severe conditions in the Southern Ocean and the possibilities of cyclones whilst crossing the Pacific. Then there is the issue of provisions – I struggle with provisioning for 50 days, so I’m unsure how I would cope with provisioning for 320 plus days.

While she no longer retains the title of the oldest person to circumnavigate the world solo and non-stop, she is still the oldest female to do so, and the oldest person to do so via the five southern capes. This remarkable woman has many stories to tell. I look forward in anticipation to her book.

The Cairns get-together was originally just going to be few ladies and their partners to meet Jeanne, but word got around and about 50 people turned out in celebration of this courageous lady. Thanks must go to the Cairn Cruising Yacht Squadron for hosting this event, especially considering COVID-19 restrictions, and for their support of Woman Who Sail Australia. It was a fabulous way to spend a rather miserable Saturday afternoon. Thanks also to Jeanne for giving so freely and willingly her time.