May 28, 1990 — Tracy Edwards and her all-female crew crossed the finishing line of the 1989-90 Whitbread Round the World yacht race on this day.
It was truly a record-breaking event, easily won six days earlier by New Zealander Peter Blake – “the world’s greatest sailor” – who was victorious in all six legs of the 32,000 nautical mile race – the only yacht ever to do so.
But it was the yacht that finished in 18th place that stole the limelight – and the headlines – for this was Maiden, skippered by Tracy Edwards – the first yacht to be entered in the race with an all-female crew.
Many believed it wasn’t possible for a female team to take part in the Whitbread – one of the most challenging sporting events on the planet. But Maiden won two legs of the race, producing the best result for a British boat since 1977 and a record that has never been beaten.
The race is one of the most gruelling tests of human endurance ever conceived. A fleet of sailboats in different classes embark on a punishing circumnavigation of the globe at breakneck speed.
The 1989-90 route went from Southampton (England), across the Atlantic to Punta del Este (Uruguay). From there it went into the Southern Ocean to Fremantle (Australia), from Fremantle to Auckland (New Zealand), then back to Punta del Este, up to Fort Lauderdale (USA) and, finally back to Southampton.
Steinlager 2, captained by Blake, finished with a time of 128 days and nine hours. His yacht was 52 days ahead of the last finisher in the race.
It was a double triumph for New Zealand with Blake’s fellow countryman Grant Dalton skippering Fisher & Paykel NZ to a close second with a time of 129 days and 21 hours.
Peter Blake, who had started to sail at the age of five, and would often be described as the world’s greatest sailor, was to receive a knighthood in 1995. He went further and faster than anyone before, but tragically, he was shot dead by pirates in December 2001.
Then aged 53, Sir Peter was monitoring global warming and pollution on the Amazon for the United Nations when his boat was attacked by armed robbers wearing balaclavas and crash helmets. He was fatally shot in the back.
On the day he died he made the last entry in a log on his website. "Status: still motoring. Conditions: pleasant. Dusk has turned the surface of the river into a greasy grey, with the sky quickly darkening after the sun's orange and golds have gone.
"Again, I raise the question: why are we here? Our aim is to begin to understand the reasons why we must all start appreciating what we have before it is too late. We want to restart people caring for the environment as it must be cared for. We want to make a difference."
Sir Peter was the only man to complete five Whitbread Round the World races, as well as securing the America's Cup – the sport's most prestigious trophy – for his native New Zealand.
He also captured the Jules Verne Trophy for the fastest sailing circumnavigation with co-skipper Robin Knox-Johnston aboard the 92-foot catamaran Enza.
Describing his life, the New Zealand Herald reported: “From winning the New Zealand junior offshore group championship in 1967 through Whitbread races, manager and skipper of Lion NZ, bringing the America's Cup to Auckland, to collecting a shelf full of awards and honours (in ascending order MBE, OBE, a knighthood, in addition to sportsman, yachtsman and sports personality of the year), it has been a full and fruitful life on the ocean.”
But many still regard the tough 1989-90 Whitbread as his greatest achievement. During the race three boats were dismasted and one collided with a whale. Two others did not complete the course. “Fergie”, the Duchess of York, who was then the wife of Prince Andrew, christened Maiden.
Published: May 16, 2022
Updated: June 16, 2022
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