Kate Palfrey

Kate (or Mrs G to her school children) is passionate about sailing and passionate about education, the education of girls in particular. She is Deputy Head teacher at St Swithun’s Prep School, Winchester. A school with the values of Grit, Gratitude and Generosity and which embraces all that the Maiden Factor stands so much so that is has chosen the Maiden Factor as it’s charity of the year. There are ‘messages of hope’ from her girls on board and their hand prints are on the spinnaker! It was at university that Kate first set foot on a yacht and subsequently became a sailing enthusiast! Kate had sailed a variety of boats and in recent years has developed a particular interest in offshore racing. She holders her day skipper qualifications, has sailed over 6,000nm and has completed a number of RORC offshore seasons, including a highly successful 2017 Fastnet Campaign. She also holds her powerboating and PADI Advance Open Water diving qualifications. As a teacher she has been fortunate enough to be able to combine both of her passions and knowing the challenges that sailing offers and wanting the girls she teaches to benefit from these, she set up the highly successful ‘St Swithun’s Sailing Club.’ Sydney holds a special place in her heart and she has always wanted to visit New Zealand so joining the Maiden team on this leg is a dream come true. She is also looking forward to being reunited with the school bear ‘Swithy’ who has been on the World Tour since its departure from Hamble last November.