Camille du Gast on her motorboat, the Camille. Camille du Gast (1868 - 1942), pioneering French female motoring celebrity of the Belle Epoque. accomplished sportswoman--a balloonist, parachute jumper, fencer, tobogganist, skier, rifle and pistol shot, horse trainer--as well as a concert pianist and singer. In 1905 she competed in the trans-Mediterranean race from Algiers to Toulon. A violent storm during the second stage from Port Mahon, Menorca, to Toulon, put all seven boats out of action and sank six of them including the Camille. Two months later du Gast was eventually declared the winner, having come closest to finishing before sinking.