CONGRATULATIONS MAIDEN

Congratulations to Maiden, overall winner in the Ocean Globe Race 2023.

OYS’s connection with Maiden spans 35+ years, when her original standing rod rigging was serviced and supported by Riggarna, the company that would become OYS, for the 1989-1990 Whitbread Round the World Race.

In competing in that race, Tracy Edwards and her crew were the first all-female crew to do, so winning two legs and finishing second.

After the race, Maiden was sold. Tracy found her in 2014 and in 2017 she brought her to UK waters and her home in Hamble for an extensive refit. The work was carried out at the same yard where the preparation work for 1989 race was done.

During her refit and support in preparation for the Ocean Globe Race, OYS worked closely with our certified service agent Marine Results to supply all new standing rod rigging, the very same design that she had for the original race.

Crossing the finish line off Cowes on 16th April at 1052, Maiden had finished the Ocean Globe Race. You only had to look at the sheer joy in the faces of the sailors onboard, Tracy Edwards and their supporters to understand what this meant.

They would have to wait a little longer to find out if they had won overall. Approximately 48hrs later it was confirmed that Maiden had done enough to win and in doing so they had achieved the following.

First all female crew to win a round the world race
First female British skipper to win a round the world race
First fully crewed British boat to win a round the world race
First black women to race around the world
First Afghan woman to race in a round the world race

Maiden has now retired from ocean racing and in such style.

Thank you, Maiden, for 35 years of memories.