Maiden’s all-female crew win the Ocean Globe Race

Maiden has overwhelmed 14 groups to win the Ocean Globe Race on IRC handicap, changing into the primary ever all-women crew to win an around-the-world yacht race, it was confirmed early on Monday 22 April 2024.

The worldwide all-female crew crossed the end line on the Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes at 1052 UTC on 16 April, having sailed 6599 miles from Punta del Este on Leg 4 of the Ocean Globe Race.

Their solely rival for IRC handicap honours, the French Swan 53 Triana skippered by Jean d’Arthuys, failed to fulfill their 0500 deadline to cross the Royal Yacht Squadron line off Cowes.

Frustratingly for the French crew, Triana was becalmed off Lands Finish at 0400 immediately, nonetheless with 183 miles to run to the Royal Yacht Squadron end line off Cowes.

‘It’s very thrilling to be the primary all-female crew to win an world wide race. It’s a historic second,’ stated Maiden skipper Heather Thomas. ‘The ladies have labored actually onerous for it and we’re very pleased with our achievement. Now we have the perfect crew and the perfect boat so what can I say!’

Ocean Globe Race founder Don McIntyre added: ‘What a fully beautiful victory for skipper Heather and this eclectic mixture of worldwide women and abilities onboard Maiden. Wow!

‘They’ve embraced this OGR journey at each degree, acting on the water, dealing with fully unknown Southern Ocean challenges with braveness and willpower and representing their trigger like actual champions.’

Thomas and her crew loved sleigh-ride situations all the best way from the Azores to the end on Tuesday, finishing the 27,000 mile race by way of the three nice capes in 153 days.

Triana nonetheless within the operating

At the moment, Triana nonetheless had an opportunity to pip Maiden to the trophy. Nonetheless some 850 miles behind, the French needed to common greater than 6 knots over this ultimate stage – they have been then dashing alongside at 6.8 knots earlier than a southwesterly gale.

However then the winds modified fully, leaving Triana becalmed south of Lands Finish.

It signifies that Thomas and her crew have completed one up even on Tracy Edwards MBE, whose all-women crew returned as nationwide heroes 34 years in the past aboard the identical yacht.

Tracy Edwards took 2nd at school aboard Maiden within the 1989-90 Whitbread after profitable two legs of the notoriously tough round-the-world race. She was awarded Yachtsman of the 12 months for her half within the race, the primary lady to be awarded the title.

The Ocean Globe Race race marks the fiftieth anniversary of the primary Whitbread Race again in 1973-4.

Tracy Edwards (fifth from proper) introducing Sarah, Duchess of York and Princess Haya bint Al Hussein of Jordan and her kids Jalila and Zayed to Heather Thomas and the Maiden crew

Royal reception for Ocean Globe Race winners

Heather Thomas and the Maiden crew led a parade of sail from Cowes to Southampton to Ocean Village on Saturday the place they have been greeted by Sarah, Duchess of York, who christened Maiden in 1988.

Princess Haya bint Al Hussein of Jordan and her kids Jalila and Zayed have been additionally on the pontoon to greet the Maiden crew. Tracy Edwards was supported by King Hussein of Jordan and Royal Jordanian Airways in her 1989 Whitbread marketing campaign.

Heather Thomas, aged 27 and the youngest skipper by 13 years, and her crew have put up a exceptional efficiency, at all times rating within the prime half of this 16-strong fleet. They completed third on Leg 1 from Cowes to Cape City, 4th on Leg 2 to Auckland and 2nd round Cape Horn to Punta del Este.

This final 6,700 mile leg again to Cowes  proved to be their hardest take a look at. Maiden’s engine failed quickly after the beginning, then their water maker broke down – wanted to re-hydrate all their freeze dried meals – after which their inverter burned out.

Mercifully, the climate got here to their support offering loads of rain showers for them to gather water in buckets.

Tracey Edwards, skipper of Maiden within the 1990 Whitbread race, greets 2024 skipper Heather Thomas in an emotional welcome

Tracy Edwards welcomes Maiden

Tracy Edwards was there on the end to fulfill Maiden. Wiping away tears of pleasure, she enthused, ‘I’m delighted for the ladies. It’s been a tricky final leg with these winds. In fact it brings again recollections. I understand how they’re feeling and I’m so pleased with what they’ve achieved.’

For Tracy no less than, Saturday’s return to Ocean Village was a public alternative to thank Sarah Duchess of York who had been ‘Godmother’ to the Maiden crew throughout the 1989-90 Whitbread Race for her continued help.

Crusing with a mission

There have been recollections too for the help the late King Hussein of Jordan. Princess Haya, who was 12 on the time and sponsored Maiden’s refit for this race, was in a position to clarify to her kids the significance of this challenge in elevating funds which have empowered so many ladies’ schooling initiatives world wide.

A number of yachts are nonetheless racing. Triana, Galiana With Safe, Evrika and White Shadow have but to cross the road at Cowes. They’re anticipated to complete line within the subsequent few days.

Comply with the race on:

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