Tracy Edwards

Skippered the First All-Female Crew in the Round the World Yacht Race - Becoming the First Woman to Receive the Yachtsman of the Year Trophy

Tracy Edwards is a celebrated British sailor, most famous for leading the first all-female crew to compete in the Whitbread Round the World Race. Tracy's team not only won two legs of the race but also secured a commendable second place overall. As the first woman in over thirty years to receive the prestigious Yachtsman of the Year award, Tracy has proven herself as a trailblazer in the sailing world. Her extraordinary career is a testament to her leadership skills, ability to motivate teams, and knack for extracting the best from her crew. These qualities make her an exceptional choice as a keynote speaker for International Women's Day events.

At the young age of 17, Tracy embarked on a unique journey by working on charter yachts in Greece, which ignited her passion for sailing. This early experience paved the way for her participation in the 1985 Whitbread Round the World Race, where she made history as the first woman to race around the world on a Maxi yacht. Over the years, Tracy has perfected her expertise in team building, assembling numerous successful crews and earning prestigious accolades such as the Jules Verne Trophy. Her inspiring journey is chronicled in the book “Maiden,” which details her pioneering spirit and determination.

In recognition of her contributions to sports and society, Tracy was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1990. That same year, she was honoured with both the Sportswoman of the Year and Sports Team of the Year awards. Beyond her sailing achievements, Tracy has utilized her platform to advocate for important causes. She served as Project Manager for the Child Exploitation and Online Protection’s International Youth Advisory Conference and collaborated with the United Nations on the 2009 Resolution to the UNCRC. In pursuit of further education, Tracy earned a degree in Psychology from Roehampton University, enhancing her understanding of human behaviour and leadership.

Tracy Edwards is also the founder of Safer World Training, a project dedicated to addressing critical issues such as online reputation, sexting, and cyberbullying. Through her work, she aims to empower young people and provide them with the tools to navigate these challenges. Tracy’s expertise in leadership and teamwork, coupled with her ability to overcome adversity, makes her a compelling and inspiring speaker. Her remarkable story and wealth of knowledge ensure that she is in high demand as a keynote speaker, especially for events focused on team building, resilience, and leadership.

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