Hanson lecture: If at first you don’t succeed, by Jeanne Socrates
When Jeanne sailed into Victoria harbour at 2.36am on Monday, July 8, 2013, she also entered the record books. At nearly 71, she became the oldest female sailor to complete a non-stop, solo, unassisted circumnavigation. During her journey, she had had to climb the mast, lower herself upside down into the wake water to replace her wind-steering rudder and for the last two months lost use of both onboard computers.
Two previous nonstop attempts had been cut short, the first by rigging and other issues and the second by damage sustained in a knockdown near Cape Horn. But finally she triumphed and that success, along with the three-and-a-half circumnavigations it took to achieve it, has been recognised by several prestigious awards, not least the CA's Duchess of Kent trophy, presented by Patron Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, after her first solo circumnavigation in 2011.
Following the lecture, prizes will be presented to this year’s log competition winners.
Tickets are £15 and include a buffet supper. Bookings in advance, please, from the secretariat on 0207 537 2828 or
.