Alexia Barrier, 40, French, founded 4myplanet to advance science and education. She has sailed 120,000 blue ocean miles, competed in 14 trans Atlantic races and now races a boat built for the 2000 Vendee Globe.

Clarisse Cremer, 30, French, founded a custom adventure travel business. She has catapulted to the Vendee Globe after finishing second in the 2017 Mini Transat and sails the boat that won the 2012-13 Vendee Globe.

Sam Davies, 46, British, an engineer and mother of one racing in her third Vendee Globe. She finished fourth in 2008-09 Vendee Globe, was dismasted in 2012-13, and sails a Vendee Globe finisher built in 2010.

Pip Hare, 46, British, a professional skipper who specializes in events of distance andendurance. She self-financed her rented boat,built in 1999, and sought a title sponsor until one joined in June.

Isabelle Joschke, 43, French-German,a professional skipper and sailing instructor. She self-financed her first Mini Transat race, and help from money her mother had borrowed. Her boat was a prototype in 2007.

Miranda Merron, 51, British,shifted22 years ago from a career in advertising to become a professional sailor. She navigated an all-female team to a new world record in the 2009 Round Britain and Ireland race. Her boat was built in 2006.