Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
The iconic sailboat ‘Mazurek,’ in which Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz became the first woman to circumnavigate the globe solo, has found its way back to Gdansk after 45 years.
After an impressive voyage spanning 45 years, the renowned sailboat ‘Mazurek’ has returned to its home port in Gdansk, Poland. The vessel, which carried Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz on her groundbreaking solo circumnavigation of the globe, is now an esteemed exhibit at the National Maritime Museum.
Reviving Maritime Heritage
During the welcoming ceremony, Piotr Gliński, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture, emphasized that the sailboat would serve as a floating exhibit, hosting an educational program that highlights the remarkable achievements of Polish sailing. Gliński highlighted the profound impact of the sea on character development and emphasized the significance of sailing as a beautiful and honorable sport.
The director of the National Maritime Museum in Gdansk, Dr. Robert Domżał, expressed his delight on behalf of the museum and the local community. He emphasized the need for restoration work, potentially including an engine replacement and interior refurbishment. Looking ahead, he outlined plans to integrate the sailboat into maritime education and training programs, promoting Polish sailing and the museum across the Baltic Sea and beyond.
A Symbol of Triumph
Captain Wacław Liskiewicz, the husband of Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz and the boat’s constructor, recalled the triumphant arrival of the ‘Mazurek’ in Gdansk on June 18, 1978. Now, after 45 years, the sailboat returns to Gdansk in the same colors and with the same pride, anchored at its home port near the Green Gate.
The historic voyage of the ‘Mazurek’ began on March 28, 1976, in Las Palmas. Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz sailed across the Atlantic, through the Panama Canal, across the Pacific Ocean, along the coast of Australia, and around Africa. On March 20, 1978, she closed the loop of her circumnavigation near Cape Verde Islands.
A Legacy of Achievement
Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz dedicated her life to sailing and promoting the sport. She served on the jury for the Yachtsman of the Year and Kolosy awards and was a member of the Maritime Sailing Commission of the Polish Sailing Association. She received numerous accolades, including the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, the Gold Medal for Outstanding Sports Achievements, and the Silver Medal of the Ministry of Sports and Youth of the French Republic. Her 1978 solo circumnavigation earned her the prestigious Silver Sextant award, and she was honored with the Super Colossus award in 2008 for her exceptional contributions to sailing, particularly as the first woman to solo circumnavigate the globe. Her achievement is also recorded in the Guinness World Records. Chojnowska-Liskiewicz was a member of the esteemed New York-based The Explorers Club.
In the early hours of June 13, 2021, Captain Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz passed away, leaving behind a remarkable legacy and inspiring generations of sailors and adventurers.