Maiden

  • Screening Dates: 6th August, 6pm  //  24th September, 8pm
  • Starring: Tracy Edwards
  • Directed by: Alex Holmes
  • Running time: 93 mins
  • Rating: M
Synopsis:

DOCUMENTARY

Please note:  The second screening of this film was interrupted by the re-introduction of COVID-19 Level 2.  

This film was hugely popular with our 6 pm audience on Thursday 6 August.

Utilising a treasure trove of archival footage, director Alex Holmes celebrates the history of Maiden Great Britain, the first all-female crew to compete in the Whitbread Round the World Race.

After discovering a love of sailing in her teens, Tracy Edwards dreamed of circumnavigating the globe in yachting’s most prestigious competition: the Whitbread Round the World Race (now the Ocean Race), a gruelling four-month journey of 32,018 nautical miles. Infuriated by the inherent sexism in the sport, Edwards was determined to enter the race on her own terms. Team Maiden Great Britain was born, and Edwards was to helm the first all-female crew to compete in the event in 1989–1990. No easy feat: they had to first find a sea-worthy boat.

The road to Whitbread was an arduous trek, and as soon as Maiden crossed the starting line in Southampton, the press began taking bets on when the boat full of incompetent girls would drop out of the race. Unbeknownst to their critics, the crew were on course to become feminist icons and inspire young sailors around the world, including those in New Zealand.

A testament to female strength, commitment and endurance, Maiden is this year’s power ballad for feminism and being fearless, no matter the odds.

SOURCE: NZIFF