Sailor. Storyteller. Climate advocate.
Lisa discovered sailing at 25. Seven years later she became the first woman to sail solo around Antarctica, and she hasn't stopped since: 8 world records and 150,000 nautical miles, every one of them sailed for Climate Action Now.
Explore her voyages Records & awardsHer story
Just do, because the world is changed by doers
After discovering sailing at 25, Lisa etched her name in history just seven years later. In 2017 she became the first woman to sail solo around Antarctica, with one stop, after surviving a dramatic dismasting deep in the Southern Ocean. Her yacht was named Climate Action Now, and thousands of people's handwritten climate pledges sailed with her.
She went on to lead the first all-female crew in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart in 16 years. In 2018 she sailed solo, non-stop and unassisted around Australia in 58 days, sleeping no more than 20 minutes at a time. In 2019 she and co-skipper Jackie Parry became the first double-handed female team to finish the Melbourne to Hobart.
On 25 May 2022 Lisa became the fastest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around Antarctica, taking 10 days off the record. Along the way she ran a 24/7 ocean micro-lab, collected 180 microplastic samples and deployed eight weather drifter buoys and an Argo research float. The expedition was recognised as a United Nations Decade of Ocean Science initiative.
In 2024 she set the fastest solo time from Sydney to Auckland, then became the first person ever to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around New Zealand. In 2025 she was awarded the Order of Australia Medal.
Lisa is an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore, the author of Facing Fear, the star of the documentary Ice Maiden, and a speaker on resilience and mental agility. Now she is preparing for her biggest challenge yet: the Arctic.
Read, watch and listen
The book, the film, the boat and the headlines.
Next: the Arctic
In June 2028 Lisa sets out to become the first person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the Arctic Circle.
The Arctic Impact Project Become a 360° PartnerFrequently asked questions
Who is Lisa Blair?
Lisa Blair OAM is an Australian keynote speaker and record-breaking solo sailor. She is the fastest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around Antarctica and holds 8 world sailing records.
Can I book Lisa Blair as a keynote speaker?
Yes. Lisa speaks to conferences, companies and schools worldwide on resilience, facing fear, mental agility, female empowerment and climate action. Enquire at lisablairspeaks.com.
What records does Lisa Blair hold?
She is the fastest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around Antarctica (92 days, 2022), Australia (58 days, 2018) and New Zealand (2024), the first woman to sail solo around Antarctica (2017), and the fastest solo sailor from Sydney to Auckland (2024).
What is Facing Fear?
Facing Fear is Lisa Blair's book, published by Australian Geographic, about her solo voyage around Antarctica and the dismasting she survived.
What is Ice Maiden?
Ice Maiden (2024) is a documentary about Lisa Blair's first solo voyage around Antarctica, selected for Doc Edge and the Ocean Film Festival World Tour.
What is Lisa Blair doing next?
The Arctic Impact Project: in June 2028 Lisa aims to become the first person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the Arctic Circle, starting from Greenland.
