Southampton, United Kingdom – Arriving in Cowes on Tuesday 16 April 2024, Maiden, skippered by Heather Thomas, and its all-female crew achieved some amazing accomplishments. Not only did they win the Ocean Globe Race, Heather Thomas became the first british skipper to win a round the world race, Maiden became the first fully british crewed boat to win a round the world race, and the crew included the first black women and first afghan woman to race around the world.
Alongside these achievements, during the 28,500 nm and 154 days at sea for the race they have had a datalogger onboard, contributing to the Seabed 2030 project to map the ocean floor, as many of the areas traversed by Maiden and her crew are less frequently travelled by boats.
Megan Hickling, Environmental Sustainability & Programming Assistant, joined many other wellwishers aboard the Ocean Scene to welcome her back during the parade of sail from Cowes to Southampton, where the crew was met by HRH Princess Haya and her Children Their Highnesses Jalila and Zayed, passing on The Message of Hope written by and put in the baton by Their Highnesses Jalila and Zayed:
“The shining light that is Tracy Edwards and the Maiden’s Crew have continued forward through times of crushing struggle and hardship to so clearly demonstrate that truly; ‘with faith, honour and courage anything is possible’.”
“I am beyond proud of what these talented women have achieved. They took our success in 1990 to the next level and blew away one of the very few firsts left in women’s ocean racing. Well-deserved congratulations to Heather Thomas and her crew for winning on corrected time.” Said Tracy Edwards MBE, skipper of the original all female crew during the 89/90 Whitbread Race. “I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Marie Taberly for winning Line Honours. Two women at the top of their sport makes me incredibly happy and so proud of what Maiden began. As the saying goes, 'I think my work here is done!”
“We started this race with the goal to be the first all female crew to win a round the world race. There were various setbacks as well as highs and lows along the way, but we did it! Every one of the crew put their hearts and souls into this race and I could not be prouder; they are incredible role models for future sailors.” - Heather
About The International SeaKeepers Society
The International SeaKeepers Society is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that facilitates oceanographic research, conservation, and education through direct involvement with the yachting community. Providing educational resources and hands-on marine science experiences to students is the primary focus for ensuring the wellbeing of our planet. SeaKeepers enables the yachting community to take full advantage of their unique potential to advance marine sciences and raise awareness about global ocean issues.
Founded in Monaco in 1998, The International SeaKeepers Society has been supporting ocean conservation through direct involvement with the yachting community for twenty-five years. What started as a data collection program aboard select luxury yachts, has evolved to engage thousands of participants annually with at-sea and coastal programming. Today SeaKeepers’ mission is focused on the DISCOVERY Yacht Program which is comprised of Scientist-Led Expeditions, Citizen Science, Educational Outreach, and Community Engagement.
SeaKeepers is a catalyst working with governments, scientists, institutions, and other marine organizations to further its mission and support sensible, achievable marine protection and restoration. Activities take place globally through the efforts of headquarters based in the United States with offices located on the east and west coast, and international representation in Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the South Pacific.
The International SeaKeepers Society: www.seakeepers.org