Anne Quéméré is the only woman to row across the Atlantic Ocean in both directions on the Southern and Northern routes and she has also crossed the Atlantic on a third occasion by kite sailing from New York to France. In 2011 Anne kiteboated over 7000km across the Pacific, from Lima in Peru to French Polynesia.
‘Break longstanding records, establish new exploits’ - These are definitely wonderful challenges, but certainly not the main reasons why I live as I do.
I am driven first and foremost by passion! Unusual horizons, human challenges, development of new techniques – these are driving forces and abiding sources of learning.
Born in a typical “Breton” family, I grew up with my family in a maritime atmosphere. With a Bachelor’s degree in hand, I headed to the Rennes University and in the early ’90′s took off for the United States of America. It was love at first sight and thus decided to settle down there. Over 10 years, I criss-crossed this vast and amazing country before extending my activities to South America and Asia.
In early 2000, I returned to the shores of my native Brittany to reconnect with the Northern Atlantic, the northwest wind and the drizzle. I resumed rowing-training on a traditional yawl, a Gig of Scilly. New dreams then came and with them new challenges. In 2001, the idea of an incredible feat was born, the idea to row across the Atlantic Oceans on the Trade winds route, alone and without assistance.
In December 2002, a year later after careful and long preparations, I set out to row the Trade winds route (Canary Islands to the West Indies) and thus completed my crossing in 56 days, setting a new Female world record in the process.
But that’s still not enough for me I guess. Barely back in Brittany, I began planning my next big adventure. A new boat, new careful and long preparations, this time my goal was to row the North Atlantic route, alone and without assistance.
In June 2004, I set off from the USA and headed out into the North Atlantic aiming for the French Coast. On August 30th, after 87 gruelling days and rowing 6450 kms, I crossed the finish line, setting yet another world record. From these two incredible voyages, a brand new challenge was born – To kite across the Atlantic Ocean, alone and without assistance.
In June 2006, I cast off from the New York area for this first world attempt and arrive at Ouessant, in Brittany 55 days later, having kited more than 6700 kms. And finally, the biggest challenge of them all came – to attempt to kite across the Pacific Ocean, alone and without assistance.
In November 2008, I set out from San Francisco Bay heading to Tahiti (French Polynesia). But after 40 days at sea and despite a great performance up to the equator, I got well and truly stuck in the “doldrums” and was finally forced to abandon because of technical issues.
Beyond these four performances, I bow to the Ocean stating that “Regardless of our resolve, as strong as we may feel, only the ocean will let us pass and nothing else”.
Official Website: www.pacific-solo.com
