Facing Fear: The first woman to sail solo around Antarctica

by Lisa Blair

Facing Fear: The first woman to sail solo around Antarctica.

"An incredible story of adventure and endurance that shows what the human spirit can achieve when pushed to its limits" - Sir Richard Branson

Facing Fear is the inspiring true story of Lisa Blair, who on 25 July 2017 became the first woman to sail solo around Antarctica. She very nearly didn’t live to tell the tale.

Seventy-two days into her circumnavigation, when Lisa was more than 1000 nautical miles from land, the mast of Climate Action Now came crashing down in a ferocious storm. In freezing conditions, Lisa battled massive waves and gale-force winds, fighting through the night to save her life and her boat.

Following her ordeal, Lisa relied on her unbreakable spirit to beat the odds and complete her world record. With unwavering focus and determination, she sailed home, completing her journey after 183 days.

This is the story of her remarkable voyage.

Genres: Nonfiction, Adventure

352 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2020

About the author

AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURER, AUTHOR, KEYNOTE SPEAKER AND MULTI-WORLD RECORD HOLDING SAILOR

Whilst completing her Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Visual Arts at Southern Cross University, Lisa Blair secured a job as a hostess on a sailing boat in the Whitsundays on 2005. Once discovering sailing Lisa wanted to learn more and was inspired from books about solo sailors like Kay Cottee, Robin Knox-Johnston and Jessie Martin. Lisa decided to change her course in life and gather the skills to become a solo sailor herself. Lisa since clocked up more than 50 000 nautical miles of ocean sailing before embarking on her record-making voyage.

After Circumnavigating the world in the Clipper 2011-12 Round the World Yacht Race Lisa went on to work for Alex Thomson Racing on their 60 foot racing yacht sponsored by Hugo Boss. She then acquired her RYA/ MCA Yacht Master Offshore, a Master Class 5 (Australian Skipper ticket) and her MED 3 (Marine Engineering). Lisa worked as skipper of the 68 foot long, Ex America’s Cup, Racing Yacht Southern Cross sailing around the Whitsunday Islands, in 2014 Lisa sailed twice across the Tasman Sea from Australia to New Zealand SOLO clocking up almost 3 000 nm of solo sailing experience in preparation for her Antarctica record.

Following that Lisa is a sailing instructor in Sydney, skipper of Ex-American Cup Yachts Sprit and Kookaburra and worked for Manly Fast Ferries. Lisa acquired her yacht in November 2015 – previously named Funnel-Web - and skippered it in the 2015 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. After 3.5 years of planning and gathering funds Lisa set off on January 22nd, 2017 from Albany in WA with the goal of becoming the first woman to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around Antarctica with the secondary goal of breaking the current record of 102 days held by Russia.

72 days into her solo voyage and ¾ the way around Antarctica Lisa suffered a dramatic and life-threatening dismasting in storm conditions more than 1000nm from land. Lisa managed to save her yacht, was rendered fuel from a passing container ship, built a jury rig and motor sailed into Cape Town, SA. 2 months later Lisa re-started her voyage, crossed her track at the position of demasting and continued back to Australia. On July 25th Lisa made history and became the first woman to sail solo and unassisted around Antarctica with one-stop.

Lisa was awarded the Spirit of Adventure award by Australian Geographic and the Seamanship Award by the Ocean Cruising Club and finished off the year by partnering with The Magenta Project.org and leading the first all-female team in 16 years to race in the Rolex 2017 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on board her yacht Climate Action Now. Lisa has now sailed over 70 000nm and turns her attention to finishing her first book titled Demasted which is to be published by Australian Geographic.

Following an incredible year in 2017 Lisa set off in the New Year with the goal of becoming the first woman to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around Australia. Lisa succeeded on the 17th of December when she sailed into Sydney Harbour after facing down storms, drifting as she was becalmed, a near sinking and safely navigated around the many reefs and rocks. Lisa established a new record time of 58 Days, 2 hours, 25 minutes and 29 seconds.

Reviews

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most gripping books I have ever read - it was very hard to put down between sail changes - I mean Chapters! It is always interesting to read about someone's big Adventure, but the books are not always as well written as this one is. Lisa has obviously put the same care and attention to detail into her book that she put into her career and voyage around Antarctica. She is a very inspiring young woman, going from no sailing experience at all to deciding to become the first woman to sail solo around Antarctica, then methodically working her way through all the obstacles one by one, seeing opportunities as they arose and pivoting when necessary. This is inspiring to any reader, you don't have to be a sailor to enjoy this book, it will stir any reader to aim for the stars then show them how to build the stairway themselves, with help from a wide network of friends and unlikely opportunities. It is full of enough facts to educate, not bamboozle; there is humour, dogged determination, and vulnerability. Lisa leaves us wondering if we are capable of more: not quite that we too could undertake the voyage she did, but wondering if we could go that extra mile in our own lives, push that bit harder, tuck our own freezing hands under our armpits til they thaw a bit then have another go! Well done Lisa!

[Fuchsia Sims · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I'm living the book.... I know you did it solo Lisa but the way you write makes me feel like I’m right there with you! I could not put it down until I reached the finish line! This book is a true epic of our time, I can not recommend it higher. Be you an avid or aspiring sailor, an entrepreneur battling to get you dream off the ground knock down after knock down, or simply need some perspective in your own life to face some fears... do yourself a favour and grab your copy today!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Blair did a phenomenal job of helping me feel like I was on Climate Action experiencing the ups and downs with her. Not only did she really peak my interest with the beginning of her book, but she kept me on the edge of my seat and made it hard to put down the book. I learned so much about sailing and a part of the world that I had never really given much thought to prior to hearing her story. Now I want to know even more. What I appreciate most is her honesty and ability to be vulnerable so that we could truly understand her struggles. She helped me connect what she experienced and overcame to my own life as a normal person not striving to break a record. I had a high level of admiration for her prior to reading this book, but now...just wow...the obstacles she overcame, the death defying fear she had to experience and push through, what she accomplished and the adversity she had to prevail over is mind blowing. I had heard her story, watched interviews, saw a few YouTube videos, and thought I had a good idea of what she went through, but I truly had no clue what she really went through until after reading this book. Thank you Lisa Blair for sharing your story, for inspiring me to go big, and for drawing attention to Climate Change as a part of your journey.

[alice]

you know how teachers always tell you quality over quantity? yeah.

I love lisa’s story it’s very inspiring however overall there was just too much in this book. maybe if you’re a sailor yourself you’d be thoroughly engaged but for me I was ready to learn a little something about sailing, but at least two thirds of the book was just describing all the sail changes she did to work in the current winds.

it got very very repetitive and I think a lot of it could’ve just been summarised rather than outlining her trip hour by hour - I’m surprised she remembered that much specificity of what she did in every situation.

the editing was also an issue for me. punctuation was just missing so many times and some things definitely couldve been reworked to make it easier and more engaging to read.

not giving this an official rating because I dont want anyone to be deterred from reading it - its a really powerful story and I loved the short film I saw about it, but I think a book just wasnt the right format for it. I’d probably rate it 2 or 2.5 stars.

all that being said I did still cry at the end when she got back to australia. those sorts of things will always get me.

to summarise: lisa is a queen but this book did not serve how I thought it would

[Helen O'Sh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Account of Lisa’s preparations for and solo voyage around Antarctica. Thanks Lisa for signing my book!

Wow, I was ‘facing fear’ just reading this book! My heart was racing as I read about the de-masting (and I knew she was going to survive!) and I was terrified of those 15m breaking waves.

You might think that a book about sailing for months without seeing anyone might be boring or repetitive but there was so much going on and so much to be impressed by. Lisa is obviously highly skilled and so sharp and just works so bloody hard. I’m exhausted and amazed from my (warm, dry) armchair 😂

Also highly recommend Lisa’s blog for a real time commentary on the trip.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful and must read is Lisa's book FACING FEAR. An inspirational, gritty encounter of endurance and courage pushed to the limit. Could not put down! The most profound reality for me was how incredible it was that one person could face so many daunting challenges and dangers in isolation upon a boat that served her so well in the most extreme conditions. The number of knockdowns, the vicious rounding of Cape Horn, the saga on the "bumper", the dismasting tragedy, the replenishment of fuel from the huge container ship, the erection of a jury rig, the continual maintenance needs and the sheer composure in coping with all of this and much more for so many months was phenomenal!

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an amazing story of perseverance and inspiring attitude from woman who followed her dreams. Lisa and her journey are amazing. Her matter of fact determination, her bubbly personality and bursting laughter (check out any interview with her) are captivating. The book brings all the might of theSouthern Ocean to you - and to think she did on her own, in spite of all that went wrong - it's truly a reminder why we live in this world. Reading this book was like reading Jules Verne as a kid - you can't really put it down, you breathe through that adventure. Inspirational, amazing, educational story of great adventure and of a great dream

[Lois Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Blair has completed a journey that no ordinary sailor could even imagine. She did the fundraising, the work and the trip around Antarctica as a one woman show. She did have support from many in the Australian sailing community, and her persistence and drive carried her through extraordinarily difficult times. To read this book is to understand the challenge that motivates some remarkable souls. Passion and joy are evident, since she truly loves the ocean, and truly faces FEAR.

A Must read!

[Shane Geard · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extraordinary story written directly and honestly. The obstacles that Lisa had to overcome were crushing, but what this book amply demonstrates is that when belief and passion is coupled with determination and grit, nothing is going to stop an otherwise level-headed person. All experienced sailors will appreciate the sheer terror of what has been described here, along with the physical and mental challenges. This is a modern odyssey of human endeavour and wonder at the power and beauty of Nature that is truly inspiring for sailors and non-sailors alike.

[David Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - what can I say! I am totally in awe of this remarkable young lady.

This is not just a story about sailing and being the first woman to circumnavigate Antarctica. It is primarily a story about incredible courage - about being confronted by fear that would paralyse most people, but having the courage to overcome the fear.

It is a story about determination, resilience, problem-solving, sickness, resourcefulness, ability and improvisation.

It is an inspirational story and shows what the human spirit is capable of, when faced with the most adverse and hostile conditions.

[Kim Woodland · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 2017 Lisa Blair set out on her yacht to sail solo around Antarctica. She set a different record to the one she was hoping for, and wrote a ripping good read about her experience. The immediacy of her writing made me feel like I was there alongside her on the adventure. My sailing lingo improved and I could almost figure out how many reefs she needed to put in the mainsail and whether or not the storm jib was required based on her description of conditions! In late 2021 she's going to do it again and I can't wait to read the follow-up.

[Kuba Jaroszewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa gives an exact account of her amazing achievement of sailing solo around Antarctica. Highly recommended for everyone interested in how a long solo sailing trip looks like, what are the challenges and what are the conditions in the Southern Ocean.

I enjoyed the descriptions of Lisa fighting with herself and reminding herself that she worked really hard to be doing that trip.

Last but not least, it's refreshing to see experienced sailor mentioning her occasional fight with seasickness.

[Suzanne Hibbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven’t read this story of a very courageous young lady you don’t know what you are missing. I had gone to Lisa’s first talk when she arrived back in Albany and to hear her story then and to read it in a very chilling story bought back that very first time I heard Lisa tell it.
It is a must read to understand exactly what she went through and to understand how unruly the ocean can be and how strong Lisa’s mind set had been to complete her dream to sail around Antartica solo.

[Warwick Fairfax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Facing Fear is a gift to all of us who want to recover from devastating failures and setbacks. Lisa Blair shows us how to reframe failure, defining it not as falling short but not going for the goal, for your dreams. Our so-called failures can be seen as lessons on the journey forward. That is what Facing Fear is all about: having the courage to go for our dreams and not letting failures hold us back.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa is one remarkable woman. Her voyage around Antarctica is an amazing feat and her book takes you there through the monstrous seas and winds to the frustrating calms. Having traversed the southern ocean en route to Antarctica and as a trained Weather Observer, I can truly say Lisa has captured the extreme weather perfectly. As a yachtsman, I would never want to go there!
This book will be a thrilling ride for any reader and I highly recommend it.

[Carolyn Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was riveting storytelling and incredibly scary and profoundly inspiring. How on earth Lisa diaried so much detail and managed her emotional rollercoasters which so generously shared is amazing. It's a feat braver than flying to the moon and achieved by fewer human from this planet. Bravo you are a champion.!

[Julian McGarry · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't have to be a sailing buff to enjoy this book. It is a thrilling account of how one amazingly courageous woman defied the odds and survived the unforgiving harshness of the Southern Ocean. For most of the book, I was on the edge of my seat, my heart in my mouth! And I've just discovered that she's going to do it all over again at the end of this year (2021). I can't wait!!!

[Anne Millen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the detailed account of a daunting and dangerous passage, faced with bravery and expertise. The author is factual and clear, and the whole account is gripping. I laughed and cried at the same time when she crossed the finish line for her record. Full of wisdom and useful information, sailors!

[Claire Rowlands · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy crap! This book is amazing. You can feel yourself rolling with every wave, holding your breath in every storm and cheering every small victory. The hard part is remembering it's all true. Do yourself a favour: read this book for a great adventure and then sign up for every social media update.

[Margaret Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gripping story about facing the most challenging situations and the fear of surviving them.
The print is a dead give away of the successful outcome but I kept turning the pages to make sure.
Thank you Lisa for showing what is possible when you must.

(written by Roelant Tops)

[Steven Mullie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a sailor myself, this is the kind of book that makes you realise how incredible it is when people successfully complete a challenge like this. I know I will never be able to do what Lisa did but loved reading about it – a true adventure story and a great read!

[Rosemary O'donoghue · Rating 5 out of 5]

An astounding, enthralling adventure story, all the more captivating because it’s true. I’m amazed and in awe of Lisa’s journey and fortitude. In my mind I can still see her out there on the bowsprit in mountainous seas. I loved this book and highly recommend it.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read - Lisa took us with her on her extraordinary journey. I felt cold and scared and tired and elated. A well told story of an amazing adventure.

But give yourself the weekend to read it. It was a struggle to put it down.

[Janelle Orth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa, thank you for sharing your extraordinary story. Mother nature is so unpredictable, and your perseverance to never give up was clear reading every page through your entire book. I look forward to hearing about your next adventure.
Janelle Orth

[Chils27 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sailing is one thing I will never do in my life as I have serious sea sick but I admire Lisa's bravery and determination. I am also interested in how she fund raising as sailing is quite expansive. Generosity and support from people make her dream come true.

[Anthony Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has ignited my love of the ocean even more. Most of this book I read while at sea ,working in rough seas 🌊 I've always wanted to try sailing ⛵️ and after this I will try have a crack at it. Maybe not to the extremes lisa took, but I definitely will give sailing a red hot go.

[Kristi Foster]

Simply a heart stopping book about an amazing human! More people have stood on the moon than done what she has done. Bravo Zulu Lisa. Proud to know you.

[Mia Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing story of determination and endurance . Very well written , so descriptive without being overly wordy. I am in awe of Lisa , can highly recommend this book .

[Celia Davey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grippingly written read - relevant to sailors & non sailors alike.
Lisa's sheer tenacity and determination are a total inspiration.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fabulous reading. What an adventure! Highly recommend this book if you're undecided, you won't be disappointed.