Maiden (2018)

Directed by: Alex Holmes | 97 minutes | documentary, sports | Starring: Tracy Edwards, Jo Gooding, Nancy Harris, Angela Heath, Marie-Claude Heys, Sally Hunter, Jeni Mundy, Skip Novak, Barry Rickthall, Dawn Riley, Tanja Visser, Mikaela Von Koskull, Claire Warren, John Chittenden, Bruno Du Bois , Pat Edwards, Frank Bough

Born in 1962, Tracy Edwards is the linchpin in the documentary ‘Maiden’, which recounts the inspiring history of participating with an all-female crew in the Whitbread Round the World Race. With authentic footage of the yacht race and interviews with the crew members now – thirty years later – the film, directed by Alex Holmes, paints a complete and fascinating picture not only of the race and its preparation, but also of the development that society has undergone during those decades. made through. At the same time, it is becoming clear that there is still a long way to go in terms of emancipation.

Tracy had a happy childhood until she was ten, but things went awry after her father’s death. In the end, she did not finish her schooling, but started traveling around Europe. During this trip sailing came her way and she got a job as a cook on a sailing ship. In America she met King Hussein I of Jordan and the friendship that flowed from that later proves invaluable. Tracy discovers that the sailing world is mostly a male stronghold. It is hardly possible to get a job as a sailor or first mate. Tracy therefore decides that she wants to enter the famous and dangerous race with an all-female crew.

The preparations are difficult, but Tracy perseveres. She takes out a mortgage on her house to buy a second-hand boat, which she restores together with her now recruited crew members. The search for sponsors is especially difficult. No company wants to take the risk when they learn that Tracy’s team is all women. It is King Husein who ultimately arranges for the Royal Jordanian Airlines to become a lender.

The media reaction to Maiden’s entry into the race – Tracy is 24 at the time – is really unbearable. Sexism was still rampant in 1989 and “a tin full of tarts” was perhaps the kindest comment thrown at them. For those who don’t know the history: quite a few gentlemen looked down on their noses after the deserved win. Maiden eventually won two of the six individual legs, the longest route and the shortest, and they achieved the best result for a British boat in 17 years. Interesting detail: on the second route, from Punta del Este to Fremantle in Australia, which they won, they also managed to rescue a crew member from another participating sailboat (via radio).

The images from then transport you right into the action: the waves, the tension, the wind… it is impossible not to be fascinated, whether you are a sailing enthusiast or not. In the current interviews, the women honestly comment on the events. It becomes clear that it was by no means always smooth sailing; Tracy often clashed with her crew, but her determination and courage deserve admiration.

Director Alex Holmes met Tracy when she was invited as a guest speaker at his daughter’s elementary school. He was immediately captivated by her story and noticed that he still had to tell his daughters not to feel limited in their options. And fortunately that is exactly the message that ‘Maiden’ conveys. Kudos also to the editor Katie Bryer, who turns the archive images from various sources and the new material into a very strong whole that touches you emotionally and does not let go.