Maiden Visits Hawaii

A unique sailboat docked at the Hawaii Yacht Club last week, The Maiden, complete with her all female crew, and a single-minded vision of raising awareness for girls’ education initiatives worldwide is changing the world one sail at a time.

​The Maiden Factor Organization is led by renowned yachtswoman Tracy Edwards; who shattered the world’s expectations of what was possible thirty years ago by winning two legs of the Whitbread Round the World yacht race with her all female crew.

The win was no small task, as one of the longest races in the world Tracy Edwards and her crew faced the most extreme conditions of the ocean, financial challenges, and enormous criticism as the first ever women to compete ultimately winning second overall.  

Today, the legacy of the Maiden sails on through Skipper Wendy Tuck and her all female crew complete with Hawaii’s own Shealin Johnson who’s passion paved the way for the Maiden’s first visit to Hawaii. She’s thrilled to accomplish her life goal of crossing the Pacific Ocean on the Honolulu Vancouver leg aboard the Maiden underway now!

Sail Hawaii says Aloha to the incredible women of The Maiden Factor, their mission to educate girls, and all women who wish to learn how to sail! To learn more about the project and follow their inspiring journey visit themaidenfactor.org or watch Tracy Edwards’ documentary, Maiden in a participating theatre!

Written by Elizabeth Sneed, photos by Elizabeth Sneed and Greg Martin