Born in Munich to a German father and a French mother, Isabelle JOSCHKE grew up between Geneva and the Paris region. Nothing about her suggested that she might one day become a sailor, and yet… The initial trigger was her family holidays in the Austrian lakes, where she discovered sailing aboard an Optimist. She was only five years old, but this experience had already given her a zest for the open ocean.
Fifteen years later, her passion for sailing definitively took hold during a training session at the Glénans sailing school. Whilst studying literature at the Sorbonne, Isabelle embarked on a yacht being delivered to Brazil. It proved to be a revelation: she would make the sea her profession. Having just graduated with a Masters in the Classics, she took two diplomas; one to become a sports instructor and the other a skipper.
At the start of her career, her voyages led her to the West Indies, to the United States and to Mediterranean waters. Passing through Lorient, she crossed paths with the Mini sailors and fell in love with the discipline. That’s all it took for Isabelle, then aged twenty-seven, to set sail on the crazy Mini Transat adventure and buy her first boat. In 2007, she participated in the event a second time and won the first leg of the transatlantic race. Her victory revealed the offshore racing world to her, which she will never leave.
At 40 years of age, Isabelle has a solid background in the domain of offshore racing, no matter what craft (Mini 6.50, Figaro, Class 40, IMOCA). Committed to gender equality, she has every intention of being a part of the very tight inner circle of women signed up to the start of a Vendée Globe and is seeking to participate in the 2020 edition.
At 40 years old, Isabelle has a solid experience in the world of ocean racing, which she was able to learn on board various boats (Mini 6.50, Figaro, Class 40, IMOCA). Committed to gender equality, she intends to join the very closed circle of women in the Vendée Globe. On November 8, 2020, she will set off on board the IMOCA MACSF. After a cautious start, the skipper came back in contact with the leading pack where she fought fiercely until January 9th, when her false keel cylinder broke, forcing her to abandon. After a technical stop in Salvador de Bahia, the sailor set sail again, determined to finish her journey. Joined by Sam Davies, also out of the race, Isabelle Joschke will finish her round the world voyage on February 24, thus completing her challenge.
She took to the sea again in 2021, still supported by MACSF, until the next Vendée Globe. She will be taking part in all the 2022 races single-handed, finishing a superb 9th in the Route du Rhum 2022, and in the double-handed races with Pierre Brasseur in 2023, finishing single-handed in the Retour à La Base, in the same position.
2017: Cataraid Martinique F16 - 2nd
2016: Québec-Saint Malo - 2nd
2015: Women's Cup - Winner
2008: Solitaire du Figaro Figaro 2 - First woman to win a leg
2007: Mini Transat - Winner of the first leg (proto)
| Name | MACSF |
|---|---|
| Sail number | FRA 27 |
| Architect | VPLP - Verdier |
| Construction | 2007, Chantier Naval de Larros |
| Former names | SAFRAN, Quéguiner – Leucémie Espoir, Sensations i, Generali, Monin |
| Length | 18,28 m |
| Beam | 5,70 m |
| Draught | 4,50 m |
| Weight | 8 tonnes |
| Mast height | 29 m |
| Mast type | Wing mast |
| Foils | Yes |
| Sail area max. | |
| Upwind | 300 m2 |
| Downwind | 650 m2 |
The 10th edition of the Vendée Globe, which starts from Les Sables d’Olonne on November 10th, features a record-equalling entry of six female skippers to match the last race in 2020-’21.
•••The 2020 edition of the Vendée Globe has generated unprecedented interest. As a result, the organisers decided to increase the number of places at the start to 40 for the 2024 edition. 44 skippers applied for this 10th e…
•••The Magenta Project, IMOCA, and 11th Hour Racing announce the launch of the Magenta x IMOCA Female Leadership Development Programme, a joint-initiative aimed at fostering female talent in elite ocean racing.
•••
