Isabelle JOSCHKE

IMOCA Globe Series15th
Points220 pts
Age47 (1/27/77)
Top performanceWinner of the first leg of the Transat 6.50 2017 (proto)
Joined Imoca on2017
TeamTeam MACSF
BaseLorient (FRANCE)
PartnersMACSF
CommitmentHorizon Mixité for gender equity

Profile

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.

Sailing Highlights

2023 : Retour à La Base - 9th
2023 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 29th
2023 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 12th
2023 : Rolex Fastnet Race - 11th
2022 : Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe - 9th
2022 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 14th
2022 : Vendée Arctique - ABD
2022 : Guyader Bermudes 1000 Race - 5th
2021 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 12th
2021 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 8th
2021 : Rolex Fastnet Race - 9th
2020-2021 : Vendée Globe - Abandon le 09/01/2021 - Vérin de quille - Termine hors course en 107 jours
2020 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 3rd
2020 : Vendée Arctique - 13th
2019 : Transat Jacques Vabre - Abandon
2019 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 8th
2018 : Route du Rhum-Destination Guadeloupe - Abandon le 10/11
2018 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 11th
2018 : Drheam-Cup 700 - 2nd
2018 : Monaco Globe Series - 2nd
2017 : Transat Jacques Vabre - 8th
2017 : Défi Azimut-Lorient Agglomération - 3rd
2017 : Rolex Fastnet Race - 3rd
Other highlights

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)

Boat

Name MACSF
Sail numberFRA 27
ArchitectVPLP - Verdier
Construction2007, Chantier Naval de Larros
Former namesSAFRAN, Quéguiner – Leucémie Espoir, Sensations i, Generali, Monin
Length18,28 m
Beam5,70 m
Draught4,50 m
Weight8 tonnes
Mast height29 m
Mast typeWing mast
FoilsYes
Sail area max.
Upwind300 m2
Downwind650 m2
© Jean-Louis Carli
© Jean-Marie LIOT / defi Azimut
© Eloi Stichelbaut - polaRYSE /IMOCA
© Christophe Favreau /Défi Azimut
© RONANGLADU.COM
© YVAN ZEDDA
© Christophe Favreau / Défi Azimut