In 1987, Kay Cottee left Sydney alone; 189 days later she made history

Kay Cottee was born on 25 January 1954, the youngest of four daughters of Jim and Joy McLaren. She was introduced to a boating life when she was just ten days old, strapped to the mast of her father’s boat in her crib. That early introduction sparked a love affair with the sea that would see her write her name into history, as per website. Brought up in a sea-loving family, Kay was ocean racing at eleven years old. She attended Moorfield Girls’ High School and Summerhay’s Business College, but her heart was always on the water.A dream takes shapeTo fund her dream of sailing around the world, Kay founded a boat building and chartering business. She spent years preparing for the voyage, training, planning and securing sponsorship from Blackmores, the vitamin company that would lend its name to her yacht.