Remembering the 'Champion of Champions' - Florence Arthaud

Following International Women’s Day, it is a poignant time to remember a great woman in the sailing community, France’s Florence Arthaud.

Today marks the first anniversary of Arthaud’s death, one year on from when she was killed in a tragic helicopter accident in Argentina whilst filming a reality TV show for French television.

Arthaud will forever be remembered as one of France’s greatest yachtswomen and charmed the public when she won the 1990 Route du Rhum, the solo transatlantic race between France and Guadeloupe.

On November 18, 1990, Arthaud forever earned her nickname as the “Little Bride of the Atlantic” when, aged 33, she arrived in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, as winner of the fourth edition of the Route du Rhum.

Arthaud completed the prestigious transatlantic solo race in 14 days, 10 hours and 10 minutes onboard the trimaran ‘Pierre 1’. The journey was far from smooth – the autopilot and radio failed, and she had suffered a hernia during the race. But the victory made her famous across France and earned her accolade of ‘Champion of Champions’ by the French newspaper L’Equipe.

Florence Arthaud had sailed with many legendary French sailors such as Bruno Peyron and had raced doublehanded with Barcelona World Race competitor Jean Le Cam, together taking second place in the Transat AG2R in 1996.

Among her notable competitive sailing achievements, Arthaud was also credited as one of the founders of the Jules Vernes Trophy, the prize for the fastest circumnavigation of the world.