business - 2026-06-24

Warriewood sailor Lisa Blair says one slogan helped set her on path to eight world records

Source: manlyobserver.com.au

Warriewood solo yachtswoman Lisa Blair OAM says a chance moment helped set the course for a life that has since produced eight world records, a global following and a reputation for taking on some of the world’s most isolated waters. For Northern Beaches locals, Blair’s story is a reminder that one of the area’s most accomplished endurance athletes built that career through persistence, preparation and a willingness to back difficult choices.

Warriewood solo yachtswoman Lisa Blair OAM says a chance moment helped set the course for a life that has since produced eight world records, a global following and a reputation for taking on some of the world’s most isolated waters. For Northern Beaches locals, Blair’s story is a reminder that one of the area’s most accomplished endurance athletes built that career through persistence, preparation and a willingness to back difficult choices. Now 41, Blair describes her life as a series of “sliding door” moments, where she could have gone one way or another. More often than not, she chose the less certain path. That approach has defined a sailing career built around solo voyages, harsh weather and long stretches in remote parts of the Southern Ocean. Blair said one early turning point came when she was thinking about doing her first around-the-world race and reflecting on solo sailing legend Jessica Watson. At that point, she saw a television advertisement with the line: “Just do because the world is changed by doers”. Blair said the slogan changed her thinking and helped cement the “can-do” mindset that has shaped her career since. That mentality, she said, fed into much more...