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 credit should read JEAN-PIERRE PREVEL/AFP/Getty Images)