Virginie Hériot

Virginie Hériot (1890 to 1932) was a French yachtswoman who won the gold medal in the 8 Metre class at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, sailing her own boat Aile VI. Born into the family that owned the Grands Magasins du Louvre department store, she first cruised aboard her mother's yacht in 1904 and, after separating from her husband in 1921, devoted herself fully to sailing, spending much of each year aboard her schooner L'Ailée. She commissioned a series of racing yachts named Aile and won many cups, among them the Coupe de France in 1929 and several Copa del Rey trophies in Spain. She was awarded the Knighthood of the Légion d'honneur, and she also published poems and a harbour atlas illustrated with her own drawings. She died in 1932 after losing consciousness during the Arcachon regattas, and the Coupe Virginie Hériot, the main trophy of the European Dragon Championship, is named in her memory.