Tracy Edwards focusing on education of girls
Tracy Edwards MBE inspired a generation of women as the skipper of the first all-female crew to compete in the notoriously difficult Whitbread Round the World Race in 1988/89.
Defying critics, they won two legs of the race to come second overall in their class on the yacht Maiden, breaking a record that remains to this day.
Tracy Edwards also made history as the first woman to win the Yachtsman of the Year trophy.
Now, thanks to Anything Is Possible, the Maiden yacht has been extensively restored to play the central role in The Maiden Factor campaign to raise awareness of the education of girls.
A new generation of highly talented all-female crew members are sailing Maiden on a world tour with over 23 destinations in 13 countries, flying the flag for girls’ education working with local charities and supporting community-led educational projects.
“We are eternally grateful to the Anything Is Possible global initiative,” said Tracy Edwards. “The generous and unwavering support we received from Anything Is Possible in the rescue and restoration of Maiden was vital – we are now officially on our world tour!”
Maiden on screen
The story of Maiden attracted the attention of acclaimed producer, director and writer Alex Holmes when Tracy Edwards spoke at his daughter’s graduation from elementary school.
He went on to direct and write the script for the documentary, Maiden.
Maiden, screened at the Toronto Film Festival 2018 and premièred at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, is being distributed globally by Sony Pictures Classics.
For further details visit www.themaidenfactor.org