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15:36 Tuesday 7 Aug 2018 Sue Pelling/LCWIron Maidens – Tracy Edwards' Maiden team announced at Lendy Ladies Day

Tracy Edwards (left) and her new Maiden crew – photo Tom Gruitt/LCW

Tracy Edwards MBE is in Cowes today at Lendy Ladies Day to announce her exciting new project, 30 years after she and 11 women set sail on Maiden to become the first all-female crew to sail in the Whitbred Round the World Race.

Three decades on Edwards has succeeded in pulling together all resources to bring her original yacht – the Bruce Farr-designed 58ft Maiden – back to life and take her on a three-year world tour, in aid of The Maiden Factor Foundation. The tour that commences in September, is to raise awareness and funds to ultimately help change the lives of young girls denied the basic right of access to education.

The big news at Lendy Cowes Week today is the announcement of Maiden crew. Following a rigorous crew selection process, four young women with thousands of miles of sailing experience, will become permanent crew members. Matilda Ajanko (36) Finnish, Belinda Henry (36) Australian, Amelia Ralphs (21) British, Mary Sutherland (38) British, were at the announcement this morning. Joining the four crew members are guest skippers, including record-breaking round the world sailor Dee Caffari. Caffari will be onboard Maiden during the preparation period before the Southampton Boat Show in September when Maiden slips her lines on the first leg of the Tour.

Commenting on her presence at Lendy Cowes Week Tracy Edwards said: “It is fantastic to be here at Lendy Ladies Day. I have been to Cowes Week a few times and I think Ladies Day is a great addition to the event. It really is a celebration of women in sailing and it is the perfect timing for us to introduce our new crew for Maiden and announce our new skippers.

“Dee Caffari is going to be skippering the boat over the next two months during commissioning, day sails and training, then Wendy Tuck – the first woman to win a round the world race (Clipper Race) – is also joining the team as guest skipper.

“It is fantastic, really great and, above all it is just nice to be back at Cowes.”