Solo sailor Ann Gash dies in Sydney

by Peter Campbell on 24 May 2006 Ann Gash who, as a grandmother then aged 55, sailed solo around the world, has died in Sydney at the age of 84.

Ann set sail from Pittwater in 1975 in her tiny wooden Folkboat 'Ilimo' and returned after an east to west solo circumnavigation in the 25-footer in 1977. She wrote a book about her remarkable voyage, 'A Star to Steer Her By.'

At the time of her death, Ann's second Folkboat, was on her mooring in Pittwater.

Apart from her love of sailing, Ann was an accomplished Scrabble player.