Rosemary was the Governor of the 99’s West Australian chapter and she and her vice-governor, Robin Miller competed in the BP Air Race in January 1973.

In June that year, they teamed up again in American All Women’s Transcontinental Air Race, ‘The Powder Puff Derby’. The pair were  sixth across the line, but when handicap rules were applied, finished 35th. Rosemary was the pilot, and Robin was the navigator.

To be eligible to fly the race, the pilot had to have completed a hundred solo hours, with a minimum of 25 hours cross country. Amelia Earhart was among the 1929 competitors.

Rosemary and Robin particpated in the event to promote and raise funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Australia and were sponsored by the Australian Wool Board, who outfitted them in some smart suits for the event.

The 2,600 mile race from California to New York took three days and was not for the faint hearted. They had engine trouble on the last couple of legs, but managed to make it across the finish line. After the race had finished, they tried to restart the engine to taxi away, but it had died and they had to be towed away.

In 2025, Dianne Wolfer published a book, entitled Soaring with the Sugar Bird Lady. In an interview with Good Reading Magazine, she recounts this anecdote:

“During the All-Women Transcontinental Air Race across America, in a stifling hot cockpit, Robin and her flying partner Rosemary de Pierres removed their paisley blouses and flew the last leg in bras, wriggling back into their shirts just before landing to address well-wishers and a media pack.”

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Below is Rosemary with some of the 99’s.