Tracy Edwards MBE

Tracy embarked on her first Whitbread Round the World Race 1985-86 at the age of 21, as the first girl to ever race around the world on a ‘Ocean Racing Maxi’ when she joined “Atlantic Privateer” as cook.

She won international fame in 1990 as the Founder/Skipper of the first all-woman crew to sail around the world when they raced in the 1989/90 Whitbread Round the World Race. This was an unprecedented moment in women’s sport. Surviving icebergs, food shortages and sub-zero conditions, Tracy led her pioneering all-female crew to a hard earned second place; the best result for a British boat since 1977 and not beaten to this day. Their courage, strength and determination inspired thousands and made their vessel, Maiden, one of the most iconic yachts in the world. Maiden has since opened the door for a generation of female sailors, forever changing the world of sailing.

Tracy was awarded an MBE and became the first woman in its 34 year history to be awarded the Yachtsman of the Year Trophy. She paved the way for other women to follow.

In 1998 she founded/skippered the first all-female crew to attempt the Jules Verne non-stop round the world record aboard the 92ft catamaran ‘RSA’. They were on course for the record but were dismasted off Cape Horn. They jury-rigged the yacht and made it to Chile without assistance. During their attempt the team broke 7 world records.

In 2000/01 Tracy created and managed the world’s first mixed sex professional record-breaking crew with Maiden II. The team broke, among others, the 24 hour record which became the fastest record in the world.

In 2014 Maiden was found rotting in the Seychelles and so Tracy raised the funds to rescue her and bring her home, restoring her to her former glory. The Maiden Factor was set up to raise funds and awareness for the education of 130 million girls worldwide who are currently denied this basic right. In November 2018, this iconic piece of British Maritime History, embarked on a six-year, 60,000 nm world tour. Maiden became a Global Ambassador for the Empowerment of Girls through Education.

Tracy’s book ‘Living Every Second’ was published in 2000. The film ‘Maiden’ premiered in 2019 to critical acclaim and was shortlisted for a BAFTA and an Academy Award.

In September 2023, Maiden set off on her final race around the world with the most diverse professional female racing crew ever. In February 2024 Maiden carried the first three black female crew and first Afghan, to ever race around the world. In April 2024, Maiden became the first all-female crew to ever win an around the world race, guaranteeing her place forever in the yachting hall of fame.

Tracy currently runs The Maiden Factor Foundation with the focus of enabling girls into education; funding educational programmes all over the world, with a focus on STEM in developing countries, with the ultimate aim of financial autonomy and is also a Motivational Speaker. In 2025 she co-founded The Women’s Sports Union with Baroness Sharron Davies MBE.