Cape Horners recognise six more names into the Cape Horn Hall of Fame
by Barry Pickthall for IACH 25 Nov 15:18 GMT
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Sir Chay Blyth were among a full house of Cape Horners from as far away as New Zealand, USA, France and the UK gathered for 2025 Cape Horn Reunion lunch and Cape Horn Hall of Fame and international Safety at Sea Awards © Steve Walker / IACH
It was a time for seafaring memories as 126 Cape Horners met up in Portsmouth to applaud the latest in a Who's Who list of global circumnavigators to be inducted into the Cape Horn Hall of Fame.
First to by recognised was five-time circumnavigator Paul Standbridge from Hamble, Southampton followed by two fellow British sailing heroes, photographer Rick Tomlinson and Samantha Davies all from the Solent area
Joining them in this very select group of 46 sailors that now have their names enscribed on the Hall of Fame Honours board were French Vendée Globe Race winner Charlie Dalin, Catherine Chabaud, the first women to complete a Vendée Globe solo circumnavigation, and fellow French sailing heroine Isabelle Autissier.
The International Association of Cape Horners (IACH) received 31 nominations from the public for this year's Hall of Fame. The list was verified by an independent selection committee chaired by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world, and 15 names went forward to a vote by all members of of IACH.
This is the 4th year of the Cape Horn Hall of Fame awards and the names of 46 of the most famous round the world sailors now adorn the Cape Horn honours board housed in a club house in the French port of Les Sables d'Olonne, the home of solo sailing, and host port for the Vendée Globe and Golden Globe Race events.
IACH Pindar Lifetime Achievement Award
This annual reunion lunch, sponsored by Les Sables d'Olonne, Spinlock, Ocean Safety Ltd, McIntyre Adventure and Pindar, saw the Pindar Lifetime Achievement award go to Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world.
Award to Cape Horn lighthouse keepers
Also honoured were the Chilean lighthouse keepers based on Cape Horn who man this remote station 24hrs and happily offer advice to passing sailors and log their passage. And if one passes close enough to the Cape, they invariably take a memorable photograph and forward it on.
Captain Patricio Concha, the Chilean Naval Attache was presented with an honorary membership certificate by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston on behalf of the lighthouse keepers who remain on station of a year at a time.
International Ocean Safety Award
The International Ocean Safety Award was presented jointly to the crews of RNLI Newhaven Lifeboat and the Lydd-based Coastguard rescue helicopter team for the hazardous joint operation to rescue an injured sailor stranded aboard his yacht as it broke up on rocks during a storm off Newhaven Harbour UK on 4th June 2024.
The International Ocean Safety Award was presented jointly to the crews of RNLI Newhaven Lifeboat and the Lydd-based Coastguard rescue helicopter team for the hazardous joint operation to rescue an injured sailor stranded aboard his yacht as it broke up on rocks during a storm off Newhaven Harbour UK on 4th June 2024.
Mini biographies of the 2025 Cape Horn Hall of Fame inductees
Paul Standbridge - British. DOB:1958
Born in Poole, now based in Hamble UK and Cape Town, SA
Sailing Activities/Roles Involving Cape Horn:
- 1981/2: Whitbread Round the World Race - Xargo 2
- 1985/6: Whitbread Round the World Race - Atlantic Privateer
- 1989/90: Whitbread Round the World Race sailing master, watch captain on Rothmans
- 1993/4: Whitbread Round the World Race sailing master, watch captain Intrum Justitia
- 1997/8 Volvo Ocean Race - co - skipper - Toshiba
Paul is one of the most consummate and wel-respected yachtsmen of his generation. A deep waterman in the classic sense and superb shipmate, he sailed with Skip Novak to South Georgia a decade ago. Quoted in Yachting World he said: "If I was alive in the late 18th century I would have been sailing with Captain Cook."
Raised in Poole UK, sailing and racing with family on Pioneer 9 and Nicholson 36 cruising yachts. Completed a 4-year apprenticeship at Hamworthy Engineering as a fitter/turner. Turned Professional in1979. Now divides his time living in Hamble and Cape Town.
Raced in the Solent and RORC on Super Tension and Smiffy in successive Half Ton Cup events. Crossed the Atlantic on an Ocean 71 in 1979 and continues to compete on the professional race circuit.
2025 marked his 5th Admirals Cup, racing on Black Pearl for the New York YC. Inducted into the Fastnet Hall of Fame after completing 20 Fastnet races. Started the first Jules Verne Trophy on the catamaran ENZA New Zealand skippered by Robin Knox-Johnston and Peter Blake. Skipper of the Oman Sail 105ft trimaran Majan. Crew boss on Leopard (3 boats and 3 owners) for 30 years. Competed in 5 America's Cup series.
www.sailandleisure.co.za/paul-standbridge-sea-dog
Rick Tomlinson - British DOB 1958
Based in Hamble, Hampshire UK
Roles Involving Cape Horn
Rounded Cape Horn during three Whitbread Round the World Races, 1985/6 - Drum, 1989/90 - The Card legs 1 & 3, 1993/4 - Intrum Justitia. He also competed on legs 1 & 2 of the 1997/8 Volvo Race aboard EF Language &EF Education, commissioned by National Geographic magazine
Rick was always a sailor first, photographer second during all four Whitbread Races. Pushing the limits of what was possible, he pioneered the idea of flying a camera-mounted kite at sea long before we had drones, and was often found perched on the end of the spinnaker pole, or top of the mast to get a bird's eye view of the action. He also processed his film onboard during the pre-digital era and transmitted his awesome photos from deep in the Southern Ocean to establish himself as one of the world's great sailing photographers.
Involved with every edition of the Whitbread, Volvo, and Ocean Race since 1985, Rick was Official Photographer for the Volvo Race, 2001 & 2008, for the EricssonRace Team in 2005/6, Legends photographer in 2011 and Team SCA in 2014/15. He has also been a vital member of The Ocean Race Management Team running Race Control in Alicante 2017/18 and 2023/4.
Other Significant Achievements
- 1979: Crewed a replica Viking ship from Norway to the Isle of Man.
- 2002/3: Official photographer for GBR Challenge America's Cup team in Auckland.
- RNLI Bronze Medal for rescuing two fishermen off Northern Ireland.
- 2012: Volvo/Inmarsat Pioneer of Media Award, High Latitude photographer in both Antarctic and Arctic
- 2013 & 2015: Winner: Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image of the Year Award.
www.rick-tomlinson.com
Charlie Dalin - French, DOB 1984
Charlie Dalin won the 2024/5 Vendée Globe solo race around the world aboard the IMOCA 60 yacht Macif, smashing the previous record by 9 days, 8 hours, 12 minutes and 57 seconds. completing the course in 64 days, 19 hours, 22 minutes and 49 seconds. Even more remarkable, he did so after being diagnosed with Cancer shortly before the start of the Race, but continued anyway, keeping his condition secret to all but the Race Director. Sadly, Charlie is not able to attend today because of his on-going treatment.
Four years before, he also finished 1st in the 2020/1 Vendée Globe only to be demoted to 2nd on corrected time after a time allowance adjustment had been made for a rescue during the Race
Major achievements:
- 2024-2025: Vendée Globe - Winner
- 2025: Winner of the World Sailing World Sailor of the Year Award
- 2024: Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - Winner
- 2024: New York Vendée - Les Sables d'Olonne - Winner
- 2022/3: Ocean Race. Crewmember on the winning IMOCA 60 11th Hour Racing
- 2023: Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 2nd
- 2023: Rolex Fastnet Race - Winner
- 2022: Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe - 2nd
- 2022: Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - Winner
- 2022: Vendée Arctique - Winner
- 2022: 1000 Race - Winner
- 2021: Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - Winner
- 2021: Rolex Fastnet Race - Winner
- 2020-2021: Vendée Globe - 2nd
- 2020: Vendée Arctique - 2nd
- 2019: Transat Café L'Or - Winner
- 2015: Rolex Fastnet Race - 2nd
- 2017: Douarnenez Fastnet Solo - 1st
- 2016: Douarnenez Horta Solo- 1st
- 2014: Championnat de France de Course au Large - Winner
- 2013: Rolex Fastnet Race - Winner Figaro
- 2013: Record SNSM - Winner
- 2012: Transat AG2R - Winner
- 2010: Record SNSM - Winner
- 2004: Round The Island - Winner Farr 52
- 2004: Commodore's Cup - Winner Farr 52
www.imoca.org/en/skippers-1/charlie-dalin
Samantha Davies - British. DOB 1974
2025 Cape Horn Hall of Fame & International Ocean Safety Awards - Portsmouth UK Samantha Davies, from Portsmouth UK was one of 6 international sailors to be inducted into the 2025 Cape Horn Hall of Fame at an awards ceremony in Portsmouth on 22nd November
Voyages Around Cape Horn:
- 2008/9 Vendée Globe Race - Roxy - 4th
- 2014/15 Volvo Ocean Race - Skipper Team SCA
- 2020/1 Vendée Globe Race
- 2023 The Ocean Race Biotherm
- 2024/5 Vendée Globe Race
Sam Davies from Portsmouth UK, first came to prominence during the 2008/9 Vendée Globe race, where she placed fourth. She was the third across the finish but lost out to Marc Guillemot who was given a 50-hour time allowance after going to the assistance of injured skipper Yann Eliès.
In 2009 she was voted British YJA Yachtsman of the Year Award.
During the 2020/1 Vendée Globe, Sam was forced to retire with keel damage on day 26 following a collision with an unidentified object. She struggled on to Cape Town where the damage was repaired, then continued outside the race, completing her solo circumnavigation in a time of 109d, 23h, 40m. She completed the 2024/5 Vendée Globe in 4th place
Other Significant Achievements:
- 2024 Transat New York Vendée (6th)
- 2024 The Transat (3rd)
- 2023 retour a la base (6th)
- 2023 transat Jacques Vabre (5th)
- 2023 1000 Race (5th)
- 2023 The Ocean Race, Leg 3 around Cape Horn - Biotherm
- 2021 transat Jacques Vabre (5th)
- 2019 transat Jacques Vabre (7th)
- 2017 transat Jacques Vabre (6th)
- 2015 transat Jacques Vabre (5th)
- 2010 Transat Ag2r (4th)
- 2009 transat Jacques Vabre (10th)
- 2008 Artemist transat (OSTAR) (5th)
- 2007 transat Jacques Vabre (10th)
- 2007 Transat B to B (7th)
- 2006 Transat Ag2r (12th)
- 2004 Transat Ag2r (5th)
- 2003 transat Jacques Vabre (6th)
- 2003 Mini Transat (11th)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samantha_Davies_(sailor)
Catherine Chabaud, French, DOB 1962
2025 Cape Horn Hall of Fame & International Ocean Safety Awards - Portsmouth UK French solo circumnavigator Catherine Chabaud and french governement minister for Maritime and Fisheries, inducted into the 2025 2025 IACH Cape Horn Hall of Fame by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, President of the Cape Horners Assoc. (right),
Voyages Around Cape Horn:
- 1996: First woman to finish the Vendée Globe solo round the world race and first woman to complete a solo non-stop circumnavigation, racing.
- 2000/1 Vendée Globe: Passed Cape Horn only to be dismasted 3 days short of the finish line at Les Sables d'Olonne.
Catherine Chabaud began her career as a sailing journalist for French newspapers and radio including Thalassa, Europe 1, Europe 2, and RFM before becoming a professional sailor, competing in two Vendée Globe solo circumnavigations.
Since then, Catherine has become a significant voice for protecting the oceans and as an advocate for improving safety at sea.
Between 1998 - 2009 she became a Director of the French National Maritime Museum; the French Sailing Federation; the National Sea Rescue Society (SNSM); and the Marine Protected Areas Agency.
In 2013 she organised an International Conference on the Governance of the Seas, went on to organise the Tour de France of Climate Solutions, and led the call for ecological transition within the shipping industry. She also co-founded the Ocean and Climate Platform and launched an initiative to have the ocean recognised for the common good of all humanity
In 2015 she co-founded the Foundation de la Mer, promoting French maritime issues and the following year, held the portfolio for the Sea and Coastline within the Ministry of Environment, Energy and the Sea
In 2018 she launched 'The Ocean - a Common Good of Humanity' appeal on World Oceans Day, raising awareness and promoting solutions to combat marine pollution.
In 2020, Catherine was elected to the European Parliament and became a powerful voice within the committees involved with the environment and fisheries. She became a UNESCO ambassador at COP21 and earlier this year she was voted in as the first woman President of Yacht Club de France. Most recently Catherine became French Minister for Maritime and Fisheries
Other Significant sailing achievements:
- 1991: Mini Transat
- 1998 & 2022: Route du Rhum solo transatlantic race
- 1996 & 2000: Solo transatlantic Race, Figaro Race and Tour de Europe
fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_Chabaud
Isabelle Autissier - French DOB 1956
2025 Cape Horn Hall of Fame & International Ocean Safety Awards - Portsmouth UK French round the world race sailor Isabelle Autissier onboard PBR - the Finot designed Open 60 class yacht competing in the 1998/9 Around Alone Race. Isabelle is one of 6 international sailors to be inducted into the 2025 Cape Horn Hall of Fame.
In 1991/2 Isabelle finished 7th in The BOC Challenge, becoming the first woman to race competitively around-the-world solo. It was this success that prompted her to give up teaching and devote herself entirely to ocean racing.
While competing in the 1994/5 BOC Challenge, Autissier's boat Ecureuil Poitou Charentes II was dismasted and severely damaged 900 nautical miles (1,700 km) south of Adelaide, Australia. She was rescued on 1 January 1995 by a Seahawk helicopter launched from the Royal Australian Navy frigate, HMAS Darwin.
On her return, she obtained sponsorship from PRB to commission designer Jean-Marie Finot and builder Marc Pinta to produce a new IMOCA Open 60 boat - PRB - to take part in the 1996/7 Vendée Globe solo non-stop round the world race. A damaged rudder forced Autissier to retire in Cape Town, but far from being down and out, she set off again once repairs had been made, to complete the course outside of the competition. Conditions were extreme, but despite this, Autissier turned round in the middle of a storm, along with other competitors, to try to find fellow competitor Gerry Roufs, whose Argos distress beacon had stopped emitting. Sadly, neither Roufs nor his boat, Groupe LG 2 were found and Autissier resumed racing, fighting extreme conditions that led to several capsizes. Remarkably, Isabelle finished just four days behind the winner.
During the 1998/9 Around Alone race, her boat PRB capsized 1,900 nautical miles (3,500 km) west of Cape Horn. The yacht remained upside down until Italian skipper Giovanni Soldini came to her rescue.
She went on to compete in the 1997/8 Whitbread Round the World Race on the all-women entry EF Education.
In 1991, she founded the International Monohull Open Class Association (IMOCA) with Christophe Auguin, Alain Gautier and Jean-Luc Van Den Heede, to represent all skippers of IMOCA 60 monohulls.
Isabelle continues to sail extensively, and is currently sailing across the Pacific Ocean
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabelle_Autissier
To review previous Cape Horn Hall of Fame inductees, visit here