I was lucky enough to be invited to sail with Maiden in 2022 from Palma to Miami, during their educational tour. For me personally it was a double win – I get to sail on the iconic Whitbread boat with some very special women AND I was training to take part in the Ocean Globe Race, on another old Whitbread boat called Outlaw, so the experience I’d gain would be invaluable. There were whispers that Maiden may be taking part in the OGR and I was absolutely delighted when they announced it in February 2023. By then, I had sailed with the newly announced skipper Heather and some of the team taking part in the OGR and I’d met most of the shore team so we bonded further during the preparation for the race. It helped that we were berthed next door to each other in Hamble, and as we were in different classes, no real threat to each other – or rather, we weren’t a threat to them! We left Southampton in September ‘23 and when we arrived at the first stopover, Cape Town, Heather and the girls were there to greet us. This continued throughout the race and let me tell you, that first hug when you arrive on dry land after 7 weeks at sea is never forgotten. Maiden became a great influence throughout the race to the whole fleet, running the radio chats and setting higher and higher goals. On 18th April Outlaw finished our circumnavigation and we received our “Maiden” hugs – on 22nd April it was confirmed that Maiden had won the whole race and Outlaw had won our class on that last leg. Knowing this, Heather contacted me to join them in the Royal Southern for champagne for our twofold celebrations. I’m so incredibly proud to be a Maiden Alumni and to call them my friends, I look forward to following the progress of Heather, Ami, Erica, Molly and all the girls and I hope our paths will continue to cross along the way – in fact they already do! For me, my feet are firmly back on the ground now. Living in Hamble, I now work at the local yacht brokers so I can remain near the water but planning to be a fair weather sailing on my Rustler 36 with my husband. Everyone asks me “What’s next?” Well, I’m loving life and not planning any more challenges, but never say never ……….