kay cottee ("née" mclaren; born 25 january 1954) is an australian sailor. she is known for being the first woman to single-handedly, non-stop and with no help circumnavigate the world. she did this 1988 in her 11 metre (36 ft) yacht "blackmores first lady", taking 189 days. she started the sail on 29 november 1987 through sydney heads, and arrived back in the harbour on 5 june 1988.