#22 IWD special - Tracy Edwards MBE. Her incredible career and why we should be encouraging more women to join the yachting industry

Today is International Women’s Day! To celebrate we have two podcast episode specials for you! Our first episode is with the incredible Tracy Edwards MBE – Tracy famously entered the first all-female crew into the 1989 Whitbread Round the World Race on sailing yacht Maiden. Maiden crossed the start line on 02 September 1989 and sailed into the history books. Maiden went on to win two of the legs and came second in class overall. The best result for a British boat since 1977 and the best result for an all-female crew ever. Tracy was awarded an MBE and became the first woman in its 34-year history to receive the yachtsman trophy of the year award. Tracy speaks to Burgess Head of Yacht Management Ryan Green and Burgess Assistant Crew Manager Lorena Gimenez about her incredible career at sea, her experience with female empowerment and how we can encourage more women to join the yachting industry. We also highly recommend you check out the Netflix documentary ‘Maiden’ to learn more about Tracy’s story. Thanks to Tracy's team at the Maiden Factor for supplying the below links for any women out there looking for more information on how to join the maritime industry. TMF Website  Sharing the stories of women at DP World  DP world sustainability report focus on women and gender equality  DP world education programmes  Women In Maritime - IMO's Gender Programme An older but good article, including a useful podcast and links to education/training History of women in maritime, and looking to the future; how to recruit more women and apprenticeship opportunities Article + downloadable diversity and inclusion materials Funding opportunities (first posted 2019) Article looking at women in marine insurance South Devon College opportunities MLA college scholarship opportunities  If there are any subjects in particular you would like us to cover in the podcast, please get in touch - [email protected]. Follow us on Instagram @burgessyachtcrew Follow Tracy Edwards on Instagram @tracyedwardsmbe Follow The Maiden Factor on Instagram @maidenfactor