film about round the world yacht race

Exciting global event will put Plymouth on world stage

'We can use it as a way to showcase Plymouth and the South West'

• 06:00, 1 SEP 2024

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Plymouth is to host a major global yachting event which will showcase the city to the world. The Worldstar race is expected to bring a huge economic boost when it is staged in 2026.

It will see up to 40 boats set off from Plymouth in a “challenging” one-year solo or double-handed circumnavigation of the planet, via the Antarctic. The race will start and finish in Plymouth, scene of the conclusion to Francis Chichester’s famous solo round-the-world triumph in 1967.

The event is being organised by Plymouth’s Royal Western Yacht Club (RWYC). Chris Arscott, commodore at the Queen Anne’s Battery club and race director, said: “It’s a major event for Plymouth. There is no yacht club in the world that has dared to do this. We have an opportunity to put ourselves and Plymouth on the world map. It’s a big deal.”

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He said that because the city’s Mayflower 400 events were curtailed by the Covid pandemic, the Worldstar event has the potential to make up for that and “pull people into the city”. He said it would attract boats, sailors and their support teams, tourists and the media to the city.

“It will attract teams to Plymouth, who will be filling accommodation and restaurants,” he said. “But it will also put Plymouth on the map as leading the world for this type of event.

“There would be a mass start in Plymouth Sound, with a huge media circus. We can use it as a way to showcase Plymouth and the South West.”

The Worldstar event is open to all solo and double handed boats, between 35ft and 60ft in length, that have completed a 2,000-mile qualification passage in an allotted time. The course will start from Plymouth Sound’s National Marine Park, go around Antarctica to starboard and return to Plymouth Sound for the finish.

Mr Arscott is anticipating about 40 boats will take part in the race, which will start at noon on September 26, 2026 and take them between nine months to a year to complete.

He said: “It’s a huge challenge. About 6,000 people have climbed Mount Everest but only about 200 have sailed around the world single handed. We have got about 20 or so interested already and five have paid the £1,000 deposit to secure a place. Interest is ramping up quickly. We have Americans interested, and Dutch and French."

“As we know, The RWYC was the very first club to introduce short-handed and fully-crewed offshore and oceanic racing,” he added.

“We want to complete the offering by launching this unique and ultimate test of seamanship to complement the Ostar (single-handed transatlantic race) Twostar (two-handed transatlantic race) and the RB&I (two-handed and crewed race), an opportunity for those sailors who want to take on the world in their own boat without the need to spend huge amounts of money.”

The RWYC has now developed the Worldstar to appeal to sailors who want to complete a circumnavigation in their own boat without an extensive qualification process.

Mr Arscott said: “We are fortunate that the RWYC has the knowledge and confidence to do it. There are local firms behind it and it would be great to get more to showcase what Plymouth can do. That could be hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.”

Guy Waites, race ambassador and round-the-world sailor, said: “This is for the adventurer, for the sailor who aspires to the ultimate challenge: short-handed, non-stop, around the world via the three great capes. An event with clear guidelines, an event to facilitate your dream in, quite possibly, the boat you already own.”

Adrian Gray, RWYC Vice Commodore, said: "It is our intention to help as many sailors as possible with the required experience to achieve their dream at a reasonable level of investment, with the confidence of knowing that one of the worlds most experienced oceanic yacht clubs is with them in their quest to conquer their ‘Everest'. This will become part of a very tough, 3-Star Challenge, along with the Ostar and Twostar.”

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32 Great Movies About Auto Racing

When you have that need for speed!

There is nothing more exciting than watching the most skilled drivers drive the fastest cars at the edge of their limit. Great movies about auto racing are a rush, no matter what kind of racing it is. It might be street racing, or on a track, but either way, it'll leave you breathless. These movies are just what want when you have a serious need for speed. 

Days Of Thunder

On the heels of the wild success of Top Gun , Tom Cruise and director Tony Scott teamed up for another adrenaline-fueled movie replacing fighter jets with stock cars in Days of Thunder . The film featured some of the most intense auto racing ever shown in a movie to that point and it was another giant hit for the Cruise/Scott team. Cruise even co-starred with his future wife Nicole Kidman in the movie.  

Rush is based on the true story of the drive for the 1976 Formula 1 championship between Englishman playboy James Hunt and the dour and serious Austrian, Niki Lauda. It's an intense movie both on and off the track as the rivalry was fierce. Lauda suffered a horrific crash during the season that bonded the two, but that didn't slow their fight for the final checkered flag against each other. 

Cannonball Run

No track, no rules. That's the Cannonball Run . A bunch of teams load into their custom cars for a cross-country race for the ages. The comedy features a completely bonkers cast that includes Burt Reynolds, Dom DeLuise, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Jamie Farr, Roger Moore , Farrah Fawcett, Jackie Chan , and more. The cast alone is worth a watch.  

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby

Many people will argue that Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby is the greatest racin' movies of all time. It's hard to argue against it. Not only is the movie hilarious, but the racing scenes are pretty great too. Shake AND bake! 

Speed Racer

If you grew up in the '80s, the odds are you were a big Speed Racer fan. While the movie doesn't have the same nostalgia, it's actually a pretty faithful adaptation that features some really trippy racing scenes, just like the cartoon. 

Greased Lightning

Greased Lightning isn't the best movie on the list, but it's not a bad movie, either. It's pretty obscure, and that's too bad if for no other reason than it's the semi-true story of Wendell Scott, who was the first Black driver in NASCAR. Scott is played by Richard Pryor and anytime he's in a movie, it's worth anyone's time. 

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Lucky Logan

To be fair, Logan Lucky is only tangentially about NASCAR racing, but it's such a fun movie, we had to include it. The movie is really about a heist at a NASCAR track, the Charlotte Motor Speedway, during a race, the Coca-Cola 500. So sure, it should count, right? 

Need for Speed

Movies adapted from video games are usually a mixed bag. Some work, many don't. Need for Speed falls in the latter category, for sure. That doesn't mean the racing scenes won't give you an adrenaline rush, however, because they will. It might not be your first choice, but if you love fast cars, it's here for you. 

Grand Prix (1966)

1966's Grand Prix is a race movie for true race fans. Originally shot in 70mm, it blew people away with the race action. The story is incidental here, though it is ostensively about one season of Formula 1. It's really all about the racing scenes, they are remarkable, even to this day. 

If there is one thing Michael Mann knows how to do, it's how to make cars look really cool. While 2023's Ferrari was a disappointment at the box office, that should deter you if you're a fan of racing or Ferraris. The movie isn't perfect, but any scene with a car in it is great. All of them. 

Director Reny Harlin, a master of movies made for adrenaline junkies, and writer and star Sylvester Stallone teamed up for the 2000 release, Driven about the CART racing series (then called the Champ series). Like Days of Thunder a decade early, this was American auto racing at its best on the big screen. It's not as good as the Tom Cruise classic, but it's still pretty awesome. 

The Fast and the Furious Franchise

You knew we couldn't leave the Fast and Furious movies off this list. There's nothing professional about the drivers, but don't let that fool you, they're still the best. Do we really need to say much more about his monster franchise?

Ford V. Ferrari

Ford V. Ferrari is just a great movie in every way. Christian Bale and Matt Damon both crush it with their performances and the racing scenes are amazing. The story follows the true story of Carroll Shelby (Damon) and Ken Miles (Bale) in their quest to help Ford beat perennial champs at Le Mans, Ferrari. It's a must-see for any racing fan. 

Freejack is a bonkers movie. That's both a good and a bad thing. The plot is ridiculous, as rich people in the future steal bodies from the past to extend their lives. Yeah, it's confusing and ridiculous. Add in the fact that Mick Jagger plays the guy hoping to steal Emilio Estevez's body when he crashes in an auto race and well... it has to be seen to be believed. 

The Speed Kings

The Speed Kings is on this list for one reason: it was completely groundbreaking. Made in 1913 and starring the great Fatty Arbuckle. The silent film was one of the earliest to feature actual race footage, which at the time was something most people had never seen. It's worth seeking out for the historical nature of the short film. 

Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, and Robert Wagner team up in this movie about a driver, Newman, who desires one thing in life - to win the Indy 500. Newman was, of course, a keen race car driver himself, so this is the Hollywood legend in his element, not to mention he's co-starring with his wife (Woodward). 

Death Race 2000

One of the best cult movies about auto racing is the sci-fi action flick Death Race 2000 . This Roger Corman-produced movie is like the violent cousin of The Cannonball Run. There's nothing funny about this cross-country race, but man, the race scenes are just so cool. 

You just knew Steve McQueen had to pop on this list. One of Hollywood's most legendary gearheads loved to make cool car movies and was part of more than one of the best car chases in the history of movies . In Le Mans , as the title suggests, McQueen plays a driver at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. The movie even features actual footage of the 1970 race. 

Gran Turismo

Like other video game adaptations, Gran Turismo isn't the best movie, overall. I also like the game though, it features some great car scenes. it's easy to criticize the plot, as many critics did when it was released in 2023, but the actual racing is fantastic, as most critics agreed , and if you love cars going fast on film, it's definitely worth checking out. 

The Love Bug

There is no more iconic car in the world than the VW Beetle and the most famous Beetle of them all is Herbie from The Love Bug . The enduring franchise goes all the way back to 1969 with this one. Over the next 35 years or so, they would release another five Herbie movies and they remain beloved today. Don't worry about the plot hole that has a 4 cylinder Beetle winning car races, just go with it. 

Cars Franchise

Millions of kids first fell in love with car racing movies after watching Cars. The 2006 Pixar film has a dedicated following and has spawned a number of sequels and spinoffs and become an important piece of Disney's brand since it was first released. The original also fittingly features Paul Newman in his final (voice) role. 

Stroker Ace

Director and former stunt coordinator Hal Needham and Burt Reynolds made a heck of a team when it came to driving movies. The two teamed up for Cannonball Run and Smokey & The Bandit before making Stroker Ace in 1983. While the movie bombed at the box office, it became a bit of a cult hit as a regular movie on cable TV in the mid-1980s. It's not great, but it's got its moments and Reynolds is as charming as ever. 

Ready Player One

Ready Player One isn't really a movie about car racing, but we included it because the race toward the beginning is just so epic. Where else would ever see the Mach 5 from Speed Racer going against the monster truck Big Foot and the van from The A-Team? In a movie filled with great easter eggs , the race has some of the best. 

The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Art of Racing in the Rain is a bit over-the-top and frankly, cheesy. But the racing scenes are great! So while it's tough to watch as it's overwrought and saccharine-y sweet at the same time, the racing is worth it, at least once.  

Sure, Grease is a love story about high school kids, but you can't deny it has one of the most legendary racing scenes ever put on film. The street race in the LA river is totally iconic and to leave it off would be just wrong. 

Wreck-It Ralph

Like a few other movies on this list, Wreck-It Ralph isn't strictly about car racing. Or real car racing at all, but how can you deny the greatness that is Sugar Rush?? You simply can't and that's why it should be any list like this. 

Fireball 500

Fireball 500 is what would happen if you make Beach Blanket Bingo at a race track. While the racing scenes are surprisingly good, the movie is pretty ridiculous and worth checking out to see the cultural artifact that it is. 

Rudolf Caracciola was one of the early heroes of F1 and The Racers is a movie loosely based on his life and career. His career spanned decades and was not without controversy, but it makes for a great movie, with Kirk Douglas playing the fictionalized version of Caracciola, called Gino Borgesa.

The Gumball Rally

in the mid-70s, cross-country races were all the rage in Hollywood and maybe the most famous is 1976's The Gumball Rally . It's even inspired races like it in real life. That's saying something about how great the racing scenes are, which were groundbreaking at the time. 

Viva Las Vegas

While the movie is really pretty bad, Viva Las Vegas is notable for two things, one, it was a hit, mostly because it starred Elvis Presley, and two, it's responsible for the theme song that you are current humming to yourself right now. So that alone makes worthy of inclusion here. 

Hugh Scott is the Syndication Editor for CinemaBlend. Before CinemaBlend, he was the managing editor for Suggest.com and Gossipcop.com, covering celebrity news and debunking false gossip. He has been in the publishing industry for almost two decades, covering pop culture – movies and TV shows, especially – with a keen interest and love for Gen X culture, the older influences on it, and what it has since inspired. He graduated from Boston University with a degree in Political Science but cured himself of the desire to be a politician almost immediately after graduation.

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Music Reviews

'maiden': groundbreaking 1989 sailing race for all-female crew.

Kenneth Turan

A new documentary tells the story of the first all-female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World sailing race in 1989. The crew was led by a 24-year-old and the boat was called Maiden.

Copyright © 2019 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

They were told no because they were women This is the true story that proved everyone wrong

In 1989, the very idea of a competitive all-female sailboat crew was nearly inconceivable to the manly world of open-ocean yacht racing. They’d never make it to the start of the Whitbread Round the World Race, much less survive to the finish. They’d never find funding. They didn’t have the strength or skill. They’d die at sea. Did that many professional female sailors even exist?

Tracy Edwards proved them wrong. 26-year-old skipper Edwards, her second-hand racing yacht Maiden , and her seasoned crew not only became the first-ever all-woman challenge to the Whitbread, they proved able competitors in the famously grueling race, besting male crews in their class. By the time they returned to their starting point at Southampton, England after 32,000 miles of global racing, they had shocked, inspired, and transfixed the sailing world and the British nation. Tracy Edwards was awarded the 1990 Yachtsman of the Year Award, the first woman ever to receive the accolade, and was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

Maiden ’s story does not begin in such glory. Unlike most of her Maiden crewmates, Edwards did not grow up in a sailing family. After her beloved father died when she was 10, conflict at home with an antagonistic, alcoholic stepfather drove Tracy to anger and rebellion. Although her supportive and adventurous mother stood by her always, Tracy dropped out of school and ran away at 16, finding refuge around island resorts among the hard-partying tribe of boat crew gypsies, working as a cook and stewardess. Sailing represented freedom—and she then set her sights on experiencing the world’s biggest sailing event, the Whitbread Round the World Race that circumnavigated the globe every three years (known since 2001 as the Volvo Ocean Race). In 1985 she managed—barely—to find a berth as a cook on a British boat in the 4th Whitbread Race, observing and absorbing as much as she could about racing “when they’d let me up on deck.” After that exciting taste of the sport—along with the bitter taste of the sport’s pervasive sexism—Edwards became determined to skipper her own boat in the 5th Whitbread, in 1989- 90.

The obstacles were daunting. Racing requires massive financial support, and corporate sponsors were leery of attaching their names to a novel and potentially disastrous effort led by an untried girl in her twenties. When the yachting press paid attention at all, it was to treat Edwards and her campaign as an amusing curiosity.

She didn’t even have her own boat till she found an old racing yacht, beat-up but still sound. Edwards put everything on the line, mortgaging her house to pay for the 58-foot aluminum monohull previously named Disque D’Or and later Prestige , a veteran of two earlier Whitbread races that had performed well. She had been designed to be relatively easily handled on long ocean passages—but when Edwards bought her, she was in disrepair, “a wreck with a pedigree” as Edwards called her.

Edwards may have lacked funds, but what she did have in strength was a knack for finding and inspiring talent. Highly skilled professional women sailors did indeed exist, and they signed on to fight alongside Edwards for recognition, opportunity, and passion for their sport. One of the first to join was Tracy’s girlhood best friend, confidante, and moral support Joanna Gooding, who came aboard as cook (and behind-the-scenes videographer). Many of the crew members had far more sailing knowledge and experience than Edwards herself, but her relentless determination made her a leader, even when she battled exhaustion and self-doubt.

To get to the Whitbread start line in the first place, the crew rolled up their sleeves to painstakingly tear down and refurbish Maiden in the venerable Hamble shipyard, a traditionally male bastion. By carrying out the refurb themselves, the crew knew every cable, bolt, and latch on the boat—which proved life-saving when they were able to diagnose and repair a leak at sea off Cape Horn. Edwards and crew adapted the boat to compensate for the lesser physical strength of a female crew but to benefit their talents; for example, the foresails were smaller than those on their competitors’ male-crewed yachts because they require frequent changing. Because the Maiden crew could muscle their way quickly through resetting foresails, they could use sail changes strategically. Maiden n wore the colors of Royal Jordanian Airlines, the sponsor Tracy finally secured through the patronage of Jordan’s King Hussein.

The story of Maiden ’s upstart, defiant run at the Whitbread Round the World Race has all the elements of an epic adventure tale—50-foot waves, life and death drama, near-mutiny, thrilling victory—grounded in a perceptive group portrait of a team of courageous young women led by the remarkable, complicated Tracy Edwards. They pioneered the sport of long-distance racing for the women who followed and inspired women in all fields to prove themselves the equal of men.

The Maiden & The Whitbread

The whitbread round the world race began in 1973, sponsored by britain’s whitbread, a brewery that evolved into a hotel and hospitality chain. the race, held every three years, switched sponsors in 2001 and is now known as the volvo ocean race., maiden competed in the 5th wrtwr which comprised several classes of different boat sizes and six legs totalling 32,000 nautical miles. in more recent years, smaller yachts such as tracy edwards’ 58-foot maiden no longer run the volvo ocean race, which is dominated by bigger yachts racing more and shorter legs., maiden won two of the legs, the longest and shortest, in the 5th wrtwr and came in second overall in her class, the best result for a british boat in 17 years, and still remaining the best result ever for an all-female crew., september 2, 1989, southampton, england to punta del este, uruguay, 5,938 miles, punta del este to fremantle, australia, the southern ocean crossing, 7,260 miles, as skipper, tracy determined navigation, choosing the daring strategy of sailing the most southerly route, which was most direct but also challenging, with huge seas and icebergs. 52 days at sea in extreme conditions. creighton’s naturally , a contestant in a larger boat class, lost two men overboard in frigid seas. they were recovered with hypothermia. maiden was the closest vessel, and the medic onboard, claire warren, instructed the creighton ’s crew by radio in resuscitating the men. one survived. maiden won the 2nd leg for her class., december 23, 1989, fremantle to auckland, new zealand, 3,272 miles, the shortest leg. maiden again wins this leg., february 4, 1990, auckland to punta del este, 6,255 miles, over this and the following leg, the 18-hour overall lead time in class that maiden had built up on her winning legs 2 and 3 evaporated on legs 4 and 5 due to 100 days at sea with little wind followed by pounding waves that caused a leak around the mainmast. with the boat taking on water in open sea, the crew was able to find and patch the leak, but time was lost., march 17, 1990, punta del este to ft. lauderdale, florida, 5,475 miles, by the end of this leg, maiden was 16 hours behind the class leader, the belgian boat rucanor ., may 5, 1990, ft. lauderdale to southampton, 3,818 miles, despite low wind, maiden regains some time in this leg. when rucanor is stuck on a sand bank off the coast of england maiden is just behind her. l’esprit de liberté wins the leg and the overall race in division d with maiden second and rucanor placing third. but for the thousands of spectators on shore and the swarm of yachts and dinghies accompanying maiden into port, it was a momentous triumph for the hometown yacht maiden , her intrepid crew, and her inspiring skipper, tracy edwards..

“Seeing the documentary, once again, made me realize that the achievement of Maiden was truly a historic first, something I believe that most of us—to this day—have not always been able to comprehend.”

Mikaela Von Koskull

“For all of us it was a big dream that came true. The trust and respect for each other, the strong sisterhood of my Maiden friends makes me feel strong in difficult times."

Tanja Visser

"If what we did inspired people and changed misconceptions then that is a very good thing that happened from something that was so enjoyable."

Sally Creaser Hunter

Tracy edwards, mbe · skipper.

Tracy Edwards is the central figure in Maiden , the documentary feature about her successful effort to compete in the 1989/90 Whitbread Round the World Race skippering the first all- female crew.

Cook, Videographer

“When we were on Maiden we didn't really take much notice of the negative things that were being said. Even when it was said that we could die and that would be a tragedy— we agreed it would be and no-one had any intention of dying!”

Marie-Claude Kieffer Heys

As First Mate she played a key role in Maiden ’s intensive six-month tear-down and refit project and devoted two years to preparations for Maiden ’s Whitbread campaign.

Watch Captain, Diver, Engineer

As Watch Captain on Maiden , she and her co-captain Michèle Paret traded shifts on deck command while Skipper Tracy Edwards typically focused on strategy and navigation. Dawn’s physical strength also served her as Driver and Engineer.

Michèle Paret

Watch captain and helm.

Michèle met and raced with Marie-Claude Keiffer in France, joined Maiden with her, and took Marie-Claude’s position when she left the team. She became one of the two watch captains under Tracy.

Helm, Safety Equipment

"It took a lot of skill and physical strength to keep that boat going fast in the right direction in some very heavy sea and wind conditions."

Maiden was Jeni’s first experience of professional sailing. She did go on to complete the Whitbread Race again four years later.

Foredeck and Sailmaker

In addition to her jobs as bowman and sailmaker, Tanja brought a dental emergency kit onboard as she was already a professional dentist. She also helmed, and did some of the video filming and still photography.

Watchwoman, Helm, Deck Hardware

Mikaela is the only sailor to have taken part in all three of Tracy Edwards’ sailing ventures: the ’89 Maiden campaign; the 2001 Maiden catamaran outing; and the launch of the Maiden Factor.

Claire Russell

Sail trimmer, medic.

When Claire heard an-all female crew was being put together and needed a doctor she signed up straight away.

Amanda Swan Neal

Amanda’s 335,00 miles of ocean sailing include two Sydney-Hobart Races, numerous international regattas and seven Cape Horn roundings intermixed with a ten-year involvement in tall ship sail-training.

Nancy Harris

Sail trimmer, deck hardware.

"When we screened the film, it was good to show my family a part of my life they really didn’t know much about."

Angela Heath

Sail trimmer.

A chance encounter with Tracy Edwards in a bar in Cork led to her competing in the Fastnet Race with the Maiden team.

Sarah Davies

Reserve crew member.

Having spotted a small advert in Yachts and Yachting for crew wanted for Maiden , with leave of absence granted by the Army, she joined the team as reserve crew nine months before the race.

Howard Gibbons

Project manager.

The all-female Maiden crew actually had several men as well as women on shore crew, led by Howard Gibbons, who managed project planning and land operations from the very start of the campaign.

• Directed by Alex Holmes
• Executive Producer James Erskine
• Screenplay Alex Holmes
• Cinematographer Chris Openshaw
• Editor Katie Bryer
• Music Rob Manning Samuel Sim

Alex Holmes Director

Alex is a Bafta-winning filmmaker with extensive experience in producing, directing, and writing acclaimed documentaries and dramas. His work as a writer-director includes searing documentary STOP AT NOTHING: THE LANCE ARMSTRONG STORY for BBC’s Storyville, which Variety magazine described as “riveting... devastating... thought-provoking”, as well as Emmy, Bafta and RTS-winning factually-based dramas HOUSE OF SADDAM, DUNKIRK and COALITION. Last year Alex directed the horror influenced revenge drama for BBC 2 which the Telegraph called “Harrowing, brilliant and superbly directed.” Alex most recently directed the theatrical documentary MAIDEN, which tells the epic story of Tracy Edwards who, through sheer grit and determination, successfully skippered the first ever all-female crew in the Whitbread round the world yacht race.

Katie Bryer Editor

Katie Bryer initially trained as a drama editor, first at the National Film and Television School in London and later at the BBC. Katie started working on documentaries in 2010 and has worked on many award-winning features with subjects ranging from forced marriage, to human trafficking, from Mount Everest to the moon. Her first feature documentary was the snowboarding movie WE RIDE, before she went on to co-edit the Oscar-nominated VIRUNGA, directed by Orlando von Einsiedel. In 2014 she returned to her drama roots and edited the award-winning romantic-comedy SUPERBOB, directed by Jon Drever. The film was described as a 'modern romantic classic' by Ricky Gervais. In 2015 she worked with Orlando again on MOON SHOT, a series of short documentaries for J.J. Abram’s company Bad Robot. In 2016 Katie edited BRUCE LEE & THE OUTLAW, a film built from footage shot by the photographer Joost Vandebrug over the course of 8 years. In 2017 Katie made two more feature docs: MAIDEN, an archive- based feature about the first ever all-female crew to take part in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race, and as additional editor on ‘EVELYN. Orlando von Einsiedel’s heartbreaking journey into his own family’s history with suicide.

Chris Openshaw Cinematographer

London based Director of Photography Chris Openshaw has been involved in documentary and drama for 25 years. His wealth of experience draws on his creative abilities in lighting, composition and technical knowledge to deliver exciting and original images. His CV reflects the vast array of projects he has been involved with. He has travelled to many countries and his proven creativity and reliability in all extremes and environments has led to international recognition and many awards. His most recent works include ONE STRANGE ROCK, an extraordinary documentary series in which Astronauts tell the story of the earth from their unique perspective, and MAIDEN, the epic story of the first ever all-female crew to compete int he Whitbread round the world yacht race.

Victoria Gregory Producer

Victoria has a wealth of experience in producing both documentary and drama at a high level. After working at the BBC making factual dramas like Space Race and Dunkirk, Victoria also worked on the critically acclaimed drama Last Resort directed by Pawel Pawlikowski. Since leaving the BBC Victoria has worked as part of the producing team on the BAFTA award winning feature documentary Senna and co-produced the Oscar winning Man on Wire. Since forming New Black films with James Erskine in 2009 Victoria has produced all of New Black Films‘ output including Pantani, Battle of The Sexes, The Ice King, and MAIDEN in 2018. Victoria is currently producing Billie, a moving portrait of the greatest jazz singer of all-time: Billie Holiday.

James Erskine Executive Producer

James is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker whose work as a writer/director/producer includes, in addition to his New Black Films projects, VANISHING OF THE BEES; OIL STORM, an award-winning TV movie for FX; and EMR, a theatrically released independent feature, and winner of several film festivals including Raindance. He has also directed several episodes of popular BBC dramas Robin Hood, Torchwood, Holby City and EastEnders , among others. In 2017 James directed SACHIN: A BILLION DREAMS, a feature documentary about the life of Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, the film went on to smash box office records in India. His most recent film, THE ICE KING, tells the story of John Curry, the Olympic gold medallist ice skater who challenged norms in both art and sexuality. The film was released to critical acclaim in the UK earlier this year and has gone on to be sold around the world. As well as developing New Black Films’ current projects, James is currently directing , a portrait of the greatest jazz singer of all time, Billie Holiday.

Sam Brayshaw Associate Producer

A key member of the team at New Black Films since 2016 Sam has a background in both documentary and drama, working as an assistant on various shows including the feature documentary STOP AT NOTHING: THE LANCE ARMSTRONG STORY, Channel 4’s RTS winning political drama COALITION and BBC 2’s horror influenced drama series PAULA in 2017. More recently Sam associate produced on Channel 4’s thrilling documentary HUNTING THE KGB KILLERS about the poisoning of Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko on British soil and MAIDEN, a feature documentary that tells the story of the first ever all-female crew to compete in the Whitbread Round the world Yacht Race

Tracy Edwards MBE · Skipper

Tracy Edwards is the central figure in MAIDEN, the documentary feature about her successful effort to compete in the 1989/90 Whitbread Round the World Race skippering the first all- female crew. In 1990, Tracy was awarded the MBE (Member of the British Empire) by HM Queen Elizabeth II; the Royal Jordanian Air Force Wings by HM King Hussein of Jordan; and became the first woman in its 34-year history to be awarded the Yachtsman of the Year Trophy. Her memoir of the race, Maiden, was Whitbread Sports Book of the Year and on the Times bestseller list for 19 weeks.

In 1998, Tracy put together the first all-female crew to attempt the fastest non-stop circumnavigation by sail. Her 92-foot catamaran broke five world records. Her second memoir, Living Every Second, was published in 2001. Maiden II in 2001 saw Tracy create and manage the world’s first ever mixed gender fully professional racing team which broke many world speed records in their 120ft catamaran. In 2005, Edwards created and managed the first ever round the world race to start and finish in the Middle East.

Tracy retired from sailing in 2005 and worked for CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) as Project Manager for their International Youth Advisory Conference. During 2009 - 2012 she studied at Roehampton University and graduated with a 2:1 Degree in Psychology. Currently, Tracy has combined these passions for sailing, female empowerment, and youth advocacy with her Maiden Factor Foundation, named for her original sailboat. She rescued Maiden from a dilapidated condition, restored the 58’ monohull to its former glory, and is organizing round-the-world fundraising and awareness tours for her foundation. Maiden , an iconic part of British maritime history, now has a new life as an Ambassador and fundraiser for girls’ education.

Tracy Edwards on fighting sexism

“30 years ago, it may have been easier for us to have the battle than I think it is for young women today, because when we came up against sexism it was in your face. It was—Bam! It was something you could fight. You know, that you could see and you could take hold of it. And you could shout and fight. Now it's insidious. No one would dare to be overtly sexist now or misogynistic; it's kind of gone under the radar. And I think that's really worrying. It’s a new conversation—the discussion hasn't gone away. It's just taken a different form. So, with The Maiden Factor we’ve decided to engage men more within the project, including sailing on the boat for the first time.”

Jo Gooding Cook, Videographer

Jo remains one of Tracy’s closest friends having known each other since their childhood in Wales. But the pair couldn’t be more different; in stark contrast to Tracy’s high energy, go get ’em attitude, Jo is perennially calm, shy and insightful.

Before Maiden , Jo was working in a pub in her hometown and had lost touch with Tracy, but out of the blue Tracy gave her a call and told her about the idea for competing in the Whitbread Maiden . Jo had never sailed competitively but immediately answered Tracy’s call to become the cook on board. She also served as the principal videographer though she also shared filming with other crew members.

Post Maiden Jo went back to the Isles of Scilly, working in the local hospital and volunteering in the school. She moved back to the mainland and worked in various caring roles including Adult Mental Health and children and young people with learning and physical disabilities.

In 2002, Jo trained as a Counsellor and in 2006, set up her own business working with children, adolescents and adults. She completed her Postgraduate Certificate in Education in teaching in 2008, and now delivers courses, workshops as well as health and well-being programmes.

Jo Gooding on doomsayers:

Marie-Claude Kieffer Heys First Mate

Marie-Claude was born in the seaside town of Brest, Brittany, France, to parents who enjoyed yacht racing as a hobby. She started sailing school at the age of 7, participating with family in races on her parents’ boat. By 16, Marie-Claude took charge of her father’s 28-foot sailboat for cruising and racing with friends, bringing early lessons in responsibility and freedom. To further her dream of someday competing in the Whitbread Race, she learned sailmaking, boat building, and every aspect of yacht racing, and supported herself as a professional sailor from a very young age.

In 1983, she entered the single-handed Figaro race, a key race for gaining media coverage and, subsequently, sponsorship. This also proved to be a key race in developing her confidence in her own abilities. She competed in this race again in 1987, 1990, and 1991, with respectable results. She skippered female crews for the Tour de France à la Voile in 1985 and 1986.

At the age of 25, Marie-Claude completed her first victorious transatlantic race: Monaco-New York on Lady Elf with a crew of 7 women and 5 men. She used her prize money on another mode of transportation, buying a motorcycle from another crew member.

When she heard about Tracy Edwards’ campaign to bring an all-female crew to the Whitbread Race, she immediately sent Tracy her CV, eventually bringing two of her sailing comrades, Jeni Mundy and Michèle Paret, onboard the Maiden team with her. As First Mate she played a key role in Maiden ’s intensive six-month tear-down and refit project and devoted two years to preparations for Maiden ’s Whitbread campaign.

The leadership conflict with Tracy Edwards that led to her sacking shortly before the start of the Whitbread Race is captured in the Maiden documentary feature. Although she was angry and disappointed that she missed the chance to race the Whitbread with Maiden , she went on to complete the race twice: in 1993 on board Heineken (invited by skipper Dawn Riley), then again in 1997 on EF Education . In 2011 she again sailed Heineken in the Volvo Alicante regatta with a 12-woman team made up of representatives from all 4 previous all-girl Whitbread/Volvo campaigns. Marie-Claude and Tracy have been able to settle their differences and sustain a long-term relationship of cordial respect and friendship.

After retiring from professional sailing Marie-Claude married a fellow sailor and moved to Hamble in Hampshire, where Maiden was based all those years ago. She now runs a company importing and brokering boats, Key Yachting, and sails year-round with customers and friends.

“Overall it is still tough for the girls. Girls who train hard and earn their stripes are now seen at all level of campaigns and have gained respect. However, the imbalance of weight and strength, plus stereotypical mindsets, still makes it a man’s world in many types of boats. The boat designs have become more and more extreme, requiring fewer crew but more brute physical strength—so if you need to take the strongest people, obviously that won’t be the women. Now the Volvo race requires two women on every crew—otherwise there probably wouldn’t be any.”

Dawn Riley Watch Captain, Diver, Engineer

Dawn Riley, the only American on the Maiden team, began sailing as a young girl with her family in Michigan on Lake St. Clair (“nothing yacht-clubby”) and has supported herself on and around boats since age 14, putting herself through college boat-captaining. The Great Lakes trained her well in extreme conditions and heavy seas. She jumped at the chance to join a Whitbread team with Maiden , intrigued to see what an all-female team could achieve.

Within 36 hours of Maiden crossing the finish line in 1990, Dawn was back in New York appearing on the David Letterman show, snatched up by the producers as the American rep on the high-profile team. She had graduated from Michigan State in Advertising before the race and this served her well as her career went from strength to strength in the sailing world. In 1996, as CEO and Captain of America True, Dawn was the first woman to manage an America’s Cup sailing team. She has raced on four Americas Cup campaigns and two Whitbreads (now Volvo Ocean Race). In the 1993-4 race she was Skipper of Heineken , joined on her team by several former Maiden crew members.

Dawn is a former president of the Women’s Sport Foundation, founded by Billie Jean King, and is active in many public service and political activities. Dawn serves as a board member of the NGB – US Sailing and the SCS Democratic Club. She was co-author of Taking the Helm, an autobiographical story of her Round the World Race experiences.

Dawn is a television commentator and experienced public speaker, on topics ranging from entertaining adventure stories to motivational seminars in team building and personal success She considers herself to be a well–rounded, accomplished businesswoman, community leader and youth sports advocate, author, speaker, TV commentator and committed philanthropist. Most recently, Dawn created and runs Oakcliff Sailing Center, a unique training and coaching center that is “Building American Leaders through Sailing.” Dawn believes that this center will prove to be significant in creating leaders inside and outside the marine industry.

Dawn Riley on the audacity of the Maiden challenge:

“I’m quoted in the documentary saying I didn’t believe there were any other really good female sailors in the world. I didn’t say that to be snotty—though it sounds a little that way. I was underscoring how absolutely radical an idea Tracy’s campaign was, and what a fantastic opportunity it was for really competitive, ambitious women like us.”

Michèle Paret Watch Captain & Helm

French sailor Michèle Paret has always been an active sportswoman, devoting her youth to wind surfing, climbing and mountain biking until she discovered sailing. She met and raced with Marie-Claude Keiffer in France, joined Maiden with her, and took Marie-Claude’s position when she left the team. She became one of the two watch captains under Tracy.

She spoke no English when she came aboard Maiden —the first vocabulary she mastered was the names of tools. She quickly picked up the language.

After the race she met her partner in sailing, racing, and life Dominique Wavre and the pair continued sailing together, achieving a successful 3rd place in the Quebec to St Malo Transat. In 2007 they placed 3rd in the Barcelona World Race.

Michèle continues to sail and has over 170,000 sea miles on the open seas with vast experience of crewed and solo ocean regattas. Due to her almost continuous travel we were unable to find a time to interview Michèle for the film.

Michèle Paret on how women collaborate:

“I discovered onboard Maiden a different way of women working together to achieve the same performance as men, a typically feminine and caring solidarity amongst us. Approaching the finish line, I simultaneously felt a huge joy mixed with a huge pain, mixed up with tears... All the girls were in the front of the boat but I couldn’t go up there. The finish line marked the end of this great adventure, but the beginning of many others.”

Sally Creaser Hunter Helm, Safety Equipment

Scotswoman Sally Creaser (now Hunter) came from a sailing family and raced extensively in both Scotland and Northern Ireland. She took a job working in a boatyard, heard about Maiden early on, and wanted to join up. She traveled down to Hamble and was hired by Tracy on the spot because of her experience and sense of humour.

Onboard Maiden , Sally worked mostly in the cockpit, at the helm or winches.

After the ‘89 race Sally continued sailing until 1991 when she finished second in the ‘Azores and Back’ race. She married in 1995 to Iain Hunter and set up her own company, Hunter Yacht Deliveries, as well as a swim school in her local Scottish town, Arran. Her two sons are both professional sailors; the older, Neil, sails for Ben Ainslie’s Americas Cup campaign. Sally is still heavily involved in the sailing world.

Sally Hunter on physical strength and skill:

“A lot of credit for how well we did should go to the girls who were so good at helming the boat, in the Southern Ocean especially. It took a lot of skill and physical strength to keep that boat going fast in the right direction in some very heavy sea and wind conditions. Every one of the helms suffered from tendonitis in our wrists from the constant movements necessary.”

Jeni Mundy Foredeck

Jeni finished university with a BSc in Maths with Philosophy and in need of an adventure. She had grown up sailing and racing dinghies on the Thames with her family, and spent a couple of post-bac years in the Caribbean where she met Marie-Claude Kieffer and advanced her sailing skills. Marie-Claude connected her with Tracy’s Maiden crew search.

Maiden was Jeni’s first experience of professional sailing. She did go on to complete the Whitbread Race again four years later. It was during the preparation for the 1989 race that Jeni realized a talent for electronics when laying the cables in the refurb of Maiden .

After her stint sailing, Jeni gained a Masters in Electronic Engineering and became a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineers. She worked in New Zealand telecommunications in various Engineering roles before joining Vodafone as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and leading the Enterprise Product Division for Vodafone Group. She has also worked with Auto Trader, the UK’s largest digital automotive marketplace, as an Independent Non-Exec Board Director.

Jeni is currently Regional Managing Director for UK and Ireland for Visa, the credit card giant.

Jeni Mundy on endurance:

“Human beings are amazing. We can achieve and endure so much more than we think. We’re amazingly resilient. During the Southern Ocean crossing we lived in extreme conditions, minus twenty with the wind chill, lucky to get two hours sleep, exhausted but two hours is better than no hours. The definition of a team is having confidence that every single one is fully braced to take on whatever happens. We were that kind of team.”

Tanja Visser Foredeck and Sailmaker

A childhood sailing in her native Holland gave Tanja a passion for sailing and when she had finished her studies in both dentistry and photography she jumped at the chance to make a career change into professional sailing for a while. When she joined Maiden she became the first Dutch woman to have taken part in the race.

In addition to her jobs as bowman and sailmaker, Tanja brought a dental emergency kit onboard as she was already a professional dentist. She also helmed, and did some of the video filming and still photography. During the race she met her husband, a watch captain on board ‘Merit’. Tanja was the first of the Maiden crew to have a child, so their daughter is the first child to be born to parents who both completed the Whitbread.

After the ‘89 race Tanja continued sailing until the early 2000’s, meanwhile setting up her own dental surgery outside Amsterdam. Tanja also breeds dressage horses and owns her own studfarm where she lives with her two children and six dogs.

Tanja Visser on the Maiden experience:

“For all of us it was a big dream that came true. The trust and respect for each other, the strong sisterhood of my Maiden friends makes me feel strong in difficult times. It’s part of ourselves and I carry it with me always. If you believe in something, go for it, work hard, and never give up.”

Mikaela Von Koskull Watchwoman, Helm, Deck Hardware

Originally from Korpo, in the southwestern Archipelago of Finland, Mikaela inherited her love and respect of nature and sea, from a long line of seafarers in her family. She started her career graduating as Radio Officer from Mariehamn Maritime Institute, working on merchant ships, followed by ship ́s purser on passenger ships. Slowly she gained sea-miles and experience to follow her real dream: to become a professional yachtswoman on sailing yachts.

As well as crewing on Maiden in 1989, Mikki participated in the next Whitbread on Heineken ’s all-woman crew skippered by Dawn Riley. She is the only sailor to have taken part in all three of Tracy Edwards’ sailing ventures: the ’89 Maiden campaign; the 2001 Maiden II catamaran outing; and the launch of the Maiden Factor. Mikki has also participated in both the Jacques Vabre and Jules Verne race events and on the Multihull circuit. Having spent so many miles and years on fast, extreme yachts, both in the Northern and Southern Hempishere, she now enjoys being part of similar expeditions (although on somewhat slower ships).

Since 2009 she has been working as a tour guide, mainly in Europe and Africa, as well as zodiac driver in Svalbard and Greenland; she is drawn to places that offer both vast open space and astounding nature. When not enjoying her two favourite areas, the North and the South Pole, Mikaela enjoys being at home on her small farm in Portugal, riding her horse or hiking in the Alentejo countryside.

As another world traveler difficult to pin down, Mikaela could not be interviewed for the Maiden film.

Mikaela Von Koskull on Maiden ’s dream fulfilled:

“Having been brought up in a country that was rather equal-opportunity, I had decided, many years before Maiden , that racing big boats across the ocean was the thing I wanted to do—not because I’m a woman, but simply because it was my dream. We all just wanted the opportunity to do it. Maiden was really my steppingstone for a lifetime in sailing. Tracy made that happen.”

Claire Russell Sail Trimmer, Medic

Born in Birmingham, England, Claire studied medicine at the Royal Free Medical School in London. She began sailing as a university student, so was a keen but somewhat inexperienced sailor relative to the Maiden crew. When Claire heard an-all female crew was being put together and needed a doctor she signed up straight away.

During the race Claire showed incredible grace under pressure when two men fell overboard into the Southern Ocean on board ‘Creighton’s Naturally’. With Maiden being the closest boat to Creighton’s, Claire took to the radio and talked the crew through emergency care for the two men once they had recovered them from the fatally cold ocean. Through Claire’s instruction the Creighton’s crew were able to save the life of one man, Bart Vandendway, but tragically were unable to save the other, Anthony Phillips, who perished on board.

Claire also met her future husband during the race, Peter Warren, a New Zealander who was racing on ‘NBC Ireland’. In the years following the Whitbread, Claire continued to sail, travel and practice medicine, eventually specializing in Accident and Emergency Medicine in the UK.

After their daughters were born in 1997 and 1999, Peter and Claire moved to New Zealand and Claire worked as a Rural General Practitioner and primary response doctor, also becoming a Fellow of the New Zealand College of General Practitioners.

Claire is presently a senior staff doctor in an ‘Urgent Care’ centre in Hamilton, New Zealand; a facility providing 24-hour accident and medical care to the population of Waikato area.

They run a small equestrian facility and Peter runs a farm contracting business. Their eldest daughter Jessica is in her third year at Wellington University, NZ, and Leah is in her second university year in the United States on a sports scholarship.

Claire Russell on facing danger:

“If you send a whole load of 20-year-olds round the world doing high-profile dangerous sport, for lots of reasons there’s potential that people could die. In truth, any doctor could have done what I did, talking the other boat through hypothermia treatment. We were close to Creighton’s, we knew them. I had friends on that boat. So, my voice on the radio gave them permission to act. I was a step distanced from their desperate situation and awful emotions because I was on the end of a radio. A lot of medicine is just support. When we reached port, Bart came up and gave me a box of chocolates—it was wonderful!”

Amanda Swan Neal Rigger

Amanda grew up in Auckland, New Zealand and sailed to North America as a teenager aboard a 38’ sloop that she helped her parents build. She has spent her life on and around sailboats.

She was rigger aboard Maiden , then in 1994 joined her future husband John Neal aboard Mahina Tiare II for a series of sail-training expeditions from NZ to Cape Horn and Antarctica. They still own and operate Mahina Expeditions, leading ocean sail-training expeditions worldwide aboard Mahina Tiare III and also present instructional sailing seminars at major boat shows worldwide.

Amanda is author of The Essential Galley Companion and Marine Diesel Engine Essentials - A Coloring and Learning Book created to help demystify engine systems, and since 2005, she has written the monthly Galley Essentials column in 48 North magazine. She and John write for four sailing magazines and submit cruising images to yachting journals.

Amanda’s 335,00 miles of ocean sailing include two Sydney-Hobart Races, numerous international regattas and seven Cape Horn roundings intermixed with a ten-year involvement in tall ship sail-training. Amanda and John recently sailed from 80 degrees north, above Spitsbergen, to New Zealand. Mahina Tiare will be based in the South Pacific for the next five years.

Still based in New Zealand, Amanda enjoys introducing women to the joys of the cruising lifestyle and her personal interests include Celtic step dancing, photography, triathlon training and sewing.

Amanda is not interviewed in Maiden .

Amanda Swan Neal on the job of rigger:

“For me Maiden was a dream come true. I was the first woman in New Zealand to complete a sailmaker’s apprenticeship and first woman rigger in the Southern Hemisphere, so it was fantastic to work and race aboard Maiden and hone my skills. My job as rigger on Maiden entailed taking care of the mast and rigging. I was responsible for keeping the mast up, ensuring that the standing rigging helped keep the mast up and that the running rigging was in order for controlling the sails. This entailed daily trips to the top of the mast for rig inspection and broken or tangled halyards. I’m proud I personally stuck the course, we didn’t drop the mast, there were no major incidents, and that we were the first woman crew to race around the world—no one can ever take that away from us!”

Nancy Harris Sail Trimmer, Deck Hardware

Born and bred in Hampshire, England, Nancy grew up in Hamble, the hub of England’s boatbuilding and professional sailing circuit. Nancy began sailing singlehanded boats in her teens before beginning in offshore sailing.

In 1988 she had a chance meeting with Howard Gibbons on board a bus and she went along to meet Tracy Edwards that day and joined Maiden .

After the race finished, Nancy remained in Hampshire and enjoys life in the countryside with her husband, two daughters and several horses.

Nancy Harris on the joys of dry land:

“When we screened the film, it was good to show my family a part of my life they really didn’t know much about. It was wonderful to see how well everyone was, and to follow Tracy’s projects, but I am happy with my feet on the ground and looking after my animals and garden. I’ve tried to instill in my children the values I learned from Maiden : don’t give up. There is always a way of overcoming anything.”

Angela Heath Sail Trimmer

Irishwoman Angela worked as a secretary/receptionist in National Board for Science & Technology and six years in an insurance company until in 1989 a chance encounter with Tracy Edwards in a bar in Cork led to her competing in the Fastnet Race with the Maiden team. Tracy then invited her to join Maiden as Sail Trimmer for the 1989 race.

She continued to work in various administration roles until 1994 when she became a mum of two boys.

From 2001 to 2006 Angela worked as Office Manager in Viking Marine, Clothing & Marine Specialists, Dun Laoghaire.

A change in career direction led her to join a doctor as Practice Manager in a newly established GP practice. She remained in the medical industry until early 2017.

Angela lives in Dublin Bay with her family and friends. She also loves gardening, hill-walking, piano, snow-skiing and pottery.

Sarah Davies Reserve Crew Member

Sarah served with the Woman’s Royal Navy Service (WRNS) from 1982 and before going to Sandhurst to train as an Army Officer.

Having spotted a small advert in Yachts and Yachting for crew wanted for Maiden, with leave of absence granted by the Army, she joined the team as reserve crew nine months before the race. She completed one leg of the race from New Zealand to Australia in place of Sally Creaser.

After the race, Sarah continued to race with the Army offshore team and racing a variety of other boats including their Nordic Folkboat.

She has lived and worked in Kiel, Germany, London, Suffolk and Cyprus. A brief foray away from sailing saw her working with one of the City of London Livery Companies, the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, which only served to encourage her two daughters’ passion for riding, and she now spends her spare time, along with Simon her husband, as groom and horse transporter.

Sarah has three children, two who have sailed in the GBR Junior and Youth teams and the third who prefers to be on horseback.

Howard Gibbons Project Manager

Before he met Tracy Edwards, Howard was a journalist working for a local newspaper in Southampton. Having been close to the sailing community for some time he had some experience of helping to organise professional crews. When he heard the idea for Maiden he was the first person to encourage Tracy to go for it.

He became the project manager before the team was in place and used his press connections to push the idea to a wider audience. He motivated Tracy to speak publicly and front the project and gave her extensive media training. Howard was also Tracy’s rock and was always there, right beside her, if doubt ever set in.

After the ‘89 race Howard went on to project manage Heineken in the 1993 race (skippered by Dawn Riley and crewed by several Maiden alums). He also managed Tracy in the early 2000’s with her Maiden 2 catamaran campaign.

Howard still lives in Hamble and has been helping manage the refurbishment of Maiden throughout 2018. He has also served as the project manager for the Volvo Oceans Legends Race.

Howard Gibbons on a once-in-a-lifetime experience:

“Every so often a sporting first comes along that transcends sport itself to become world famous for a whole set of reasons. Tracy’s determination to make it happen against all the odds, and gathering such a wonderful crew and support team around her to make it so, was, and still is, an epic achievement, and to say it changed perceptions of women in sailing is an understatement. It was unprecedented, challenging, great, wonderful and a lot of fun. We had the time of our lives.”

Atlas & Boots

The UK's most popular outdoor travel blog

25 sailing movies for when you’re knot shore what to watch

We share some of our favourite best sailing movies, from Hollywood blockbusters and indie films to illuminating documentaries

I still hang on to the rather fanciful notion of sailing in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race . Until I pluck up the courage (and the funds), I’ve been busying myself with more realistic nautical escapades.

From  tall ship sailing off the west coast of Scotland  to  sailing the Whitsunday Islands  in Australia , more and more of our travels have taken place on the water.

However, until I make the leap from weekend warrior to blue water sailor, I’ll have to make do with films, books and daydreams.

With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of the best sailing movies I’ve seen. What follows is a broad mix of modern and classic, indie and feature, drama and documentary film. Whatever their style, these flicks are thoroughly wet and wonderful.

And, I’m sorry about the pun, but you know, ship happens.

best sailing movies

Listed in no particular order, these nautical movies include terrifying ordeals of tragedy, inconceivable stories of survival, turbulent tales of adventure and wild journeys of discovery – perfect for a night in on a dry and comfy sofa.

1. Kon-Tiki (1950) Let’s start with one of the best sailing movies ever made. In 1947, Heyerdahl and five others sailed from Peru on a balsa wood raft. This is the classic Academy Award winning documentary of their astonishing journey across 4,300 miles of the Pacific Ocean.

Watch on Amazon Rotten Tomatoes IMDB

2. Red Dot on the Ocean (2014) Once labelled a ‘youth-at-risk’, 30-year old Matt Rutherford risked it all in an attempt to become the first person to sail solo non-stop around North and South America. Red Dot on the Ocean is the story of Matt’s death-defying voyage and the childhood odyssey that shaped him.

3. The Dove (1974) Produced by Gregory Peck, this coming-of-age adventure is based on the true story of Robin Lee Graham . At 16, he set sail in a 23ft sloop determined to be the youngest person to sail around the world.

4. Wind (1992) In over 140 years of competition, the US has lost the America’s Cup just once. This is a fictional story of the American challengers intent on winning back sailing’s top prize. A tale of money, power, love and ambition follows… oh, and some sailing.

5. Morning Light (2008) A riveting true-life adventure aboard the high-tech sloop Morning Light. Fifteen rookie sailors have one goal in mind: to be part of her crew, racing in one of the most revered sailing competitions in the world, the Transpac Yacht Race .

6. Between Home – Odyssey of an Unusual Sea Bandit (2012) An independent filmmaker’s account of his solo voyage from the UK to Australia, negotiating the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans en route. A trip that eventually takes over two years to complete.

Watch on Amazon IMDB

7. Styx (2019) When a lone yachtswoman comes across a sinking ship of refugees, she is torn away from her idyllic trip and tasked with a momentous decision. Should she act when authorities tell her to sail away?

8. Captain Ron (1992) After inheriting a yacht, a Chicago businessman enlists long-haired, one-eyed low-life Captain Ron to pilot the yacht from the Caribbean to Miami. During the voyage, the sailor frequently loses his way while becoming a hit with the businessman’s family. Goofy comedy starring Kurt Russell and Martin Short widely recognised as one of the funniest sailing movies ever made.

9. Maidentrip (2013) This riveting documentary chronicles the life and adventures of 14-year-old Laura Dekker who set out on a two-year voyage in pursuit of her dream to be the youngest person ever to sail solo around the world.

10. Kon-Tiki (2012) A well-crafted retelling of the epic original and one of the best sailing movies ever made. This dramatised version is a throwback to old-school adventure filmmaking that’s exciting and entertaining in spite of its by-the-book plotting.

“But you can’t navigate a raft,” he added. “It goes sideways and backwards and round as the wind takes it.” – Thor Heyerdahl, Kon-Tiki

11. Abandoned (2015) Four men set sail on the trimaran yacht Rose Noelle . It capsizes in a storm, trapping the crew in a space the size of a double bed. After 119 days adrift, the yacht washes ashore. The crew’s story is extraordinary, but doubt is cast on their claims and they face hostility from the media and authorities.

12. Adrift (2019) There are far better films on this list, but Adrift is just about worth a watch. Based on true events, a young couple embark on an adventure of a lifetime that brings them face to face with one of the worst hurricanes in recorded history.

13. The Perfect Storm (2000) A skipper insists that his crew go out on a final fishing trip before winter sets in. Unknown to them, a brutal storm is on its way. While the special effects are excellent for the time, the film falls a little  short on characterisation.

14. Sea Gypsies: The Far Side of the World (2016) The vessel is Infinity, a 120ft hand-built sailboat, crewed by a band of miscreants. The journey, an 8,000-mile Pacific crossing from New Zealand to Patagonia with a stop in Antarctica .

15. Turning Tide / En Solitaire (2013) Franck Drevil is a star skipper, having won the latest Vendée Globe , the most prestigious round-the-world single-handed yacht race. However, with this year’s race approaching, a sudden accident forces Franck to withdraw.

16. Knife in the Water (1962) When a young hitchhiker joins a couple on a weekend yacht trip, psychological warfare breaks out as the two men compete for the woman’s attention. A storm forces the small crew below deck and tension builds to a violent climax.

17. Dead Calm (1989) This tense thriller tells the story of an Australian couple (Nicole Kidman and Sam Neill) whose yacht cruise is violently interrupted by the mysterious lone survivor (Billy Zane) of a ship whose crew has perished.

18. The Riddle of the Sands (1979) A classic British swashbuckling yarn based on the early English spy novel of the same name. In 1901, two British yachtsmen visit Germany’s Frisian Islands and accidentally discover a German plot to invade England.

19. Maiden (2019) The story of Tracy Edwards, a 24-year-old cook on charter boats, who became the skipper of the first-ever all-female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989.

20. White Squall (1996) Based on a true incident from 1960, White Squall is the story of the tragic sinking of the Albatross , a prep school educational two-masted schooner, during a Caribbean storm. Starring Jeff Bridges.

21. The Mercy (2017) Starring Colin Firth and Rachel Weisz, this is certainly no heroic tale. Instead, it’s the dramatisation of the bizarre story of amateur sailor Donald Crowhurst and his attempt to pull off one of the greatest hoaxes of our time: pretending to be the first to sail singlehandedly around the world!

22. Deep Water (2006) Following on from the above, Deep Water is a British documentary about the remarkable story of the first Golden Globe round the world yacht race , focusing on the psychological toll it took on its competitors – particularly one Donald Crowhurst.

23. Captains Courageous (1937) A spoiled brat who falls overboard from a steamship gets picked up by a fishing boat, where he’s made to earn his keep by joining the crew in their work. Based on the 1897 novel by Rudyard Kipling.

24. Open Water 2: Adrift (2006) A silly premise, but entertaining nonetheless. Six friends jump off a yacht without lowering the ladder first. With no way to climb aboard, it’s only a matter of time before bickering turns to terror.

25. Master and Commander – The Far Side of the World (2003) During the Napoleonic Wars, a brash British captain (Russell Crowe) pushes his ship and crew to their limits in pursuit of a formidable French war vessel.

“Do you not know that in the service one must always choose the lesser of two weevils?” – Capt. Jack Aubrey, Master and Commander

Readers’ suggestions

Here’s what our readers have added to the list of the best sailing movies.

• Masquerade (1988)
• Violets are Blue (1986)
• Kill Cruise (1992)
• Message in a Bottle (1999)
• High wind in Jamaica (1965)
• Caddyshack (1980)
• O Mundo em Duas Voltas (The World in Two Round Trips) (2007)
• One Crazy Summer (1986)
• Coyote: The Mike Plant Story (2018)
• The Weekend Sailor (2017)
• Harpoon (2019)
• Waterworld (1995)
• Around Cape Horn (1929)
• Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)
• Mutiny on the Bounty (1962)
• The Bounty (1984)
• All Is Lost (2013)

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You might also like:.

15 Best Sailing Movies You Can’t Miss

A true sailing enthusiast suffers when forced to stay at home… So here we are to help you, presenting our selection of the best sailing movies that a sailor absolutely cannot miss. We discussed, because the world of cinema and TV (just think of Netflix) give us an almost infinite catalogue. We finally succeeded and we are happy to present you our favorite sailing movies. Which is your favorite?

1. 180° SOUTH (2010)

“180° South” is a 2010 adventure documentary film directed by Chris Malloy. The film follows the journey of Jeff Johnson as he retraces the steps of his heroes Yvon Chouinard and Doug Tompkins to Patagonia, Chile. Along the way, Johnson encounters a variety of challenges, including navigating rugged terrain and dealing with extreme weather conditions. The film also explores themes of environmental conservation and the importance of protecting natural resources. It features stunning cinematography and is narrated by actor/musician/environmentalist Jack Johnson.

2. All is lost (2013)

“All Is Lost” is a 2013 survival drama film directed by J.C. Chandor. The film stars Robert Redford as an unnamed man who is stranded at sea after his sailboat is damaged by a shipping container. The man must use all of his survival skills and resourcefulness to stay alive in the face of increasingly dire circumstances. The film is notable for its minimalist approach, with no dialogue and minimal music, and Redford’s performance as the only actor on screen. It was praised for its technical achievements and the acting of Redford.

3. Captain Ron (1992)

“Captain Ron” is a 1992 comedy film directed by Thom Eberhardt and starring Kurt Russell as the titular character, a slovenly, irreverent sailor who is hired to help a family sail their yacht from the Caribbean to Miami. Along the way, they encounter a variety of mishaps and adventures, including pirates and a hurricane. The film also stars Martin Short as the head of the family, Mary Kay Place as his wife, and Benjamin Salisbury and Meadow Sisto as their children. “Captain Ron” is known for its silly and irreverent humor and the strong performances of its cast. We have to be honest: Captain Ron is our favourite between the sailing movies of this list!

We discussed, because the world of cinema and TV (just think of Netflix) give us an almost infinite catalog of sailing films

4. Chasing Bubbles (2016)

“Chasing Bubbles” is a documentary about the journey and spirit of Alex Rust , a farm boy turned day trader from Indiana who, at 25, abandoned his life in Chicago, bought a modest sailboat (called Bubbles) and set out to sail around the world.

5. Dead calm (1989)

Dead Calm is a 1989 Australian psychological thriller film directed by Phillip Noyce and starring Sam Neill, Nicole Kidman and Billy Zane. The screenplay by Terry Hayes was based on the 1963 novel of the same name by Charles Williams; the film represents the first successful film adaptation of the novel after Orson Welles struggled for years to complete his own film based on it titled The Deep . Filmed around the Great Barrier Reef, the plot focuses on a married couple, who, after tragically losing their son, are spending some time isolated at sea, when they come across a stranger who has abandoned a sinking ship. A must see among sailing movies!

6. Deep Water (2006)

“Deep Water” is a 2006 documentary film directed by Jerry Rothwell and Louise Osmond about the history of the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race , a solo sailing race around the world that was held in 1968. The film follows the stories of the race’s participants, including Donald Crowhurst, a British sailor who became embroiled in a scandal when it was revealed that he had falsified his position in the race. The film also explores themes of adventure, ambition, and the human cost of pushing oneself to the limits. It was well-received by critics and audiences and won a number of awards.

7. Maidentrip (2013)

“Maidentrip” is a 2013 documentary film about the life of Laura Dekker , a Dutch sailor who, at the age of 14, became the youngest person to sail solo around the world. The film follows Dekker’s journey as she navigates the challenges and dangers of her voyage, including rough seas, equipment failures, and isolation. It also explores Dekker’s background and her motivations for embarking on such a risky and ambitious journey. “Maidentrip” was praised for its intimate and engaging portrayal of Dekker’s journey and for its powerful depiction of the human spirit and determination.

8. Master and commander (2003)

During the Napoleonic Wars, a brash British captain pushes his ship and crew to their limits in pursuit of a formidable French war vessel around South America. The naval action in the Mediterranean is  closely based on the real-life exploits of Lord Cochrane , including a battle modelled after Cochrane’s spectacular victory in the brig HMS Speedy over the vastly superior Spanish frigate El Gamo.

9. Morning light (2008)

Fifteen young sailors… six months of intense training… one chance at the brass ring. This documentary tells the story of a group of intrepid and determined young men and women, on the cusp of adulthood, as they embark on life’s first great adventure. Fifteen young men and women prepare for the adventure of their lives when they enter the TRANSPAC, one of the world’s most prestigious open-ocean sailing competitions. They begin their training in Hawaii with world-class teachers, but it is the race itself, a 2,300-mile ordeal featuring top professionals, that molds them into a cohesive whole.

10. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)

“Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” is a 2003 adventure film directed by Gore Verbinski and based on the popular Disney theme park attraction of the same name. The film stars Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow, a wily and unpredictable pirate who teams up with a blacksmith named Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and a Governor’s daughter named Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) to rescue Elizabeth’s father and defeat the cursed pirate captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush). The film also features an ensemble cast of supporting characters and is known for its action, humor, and special effects. It was a commercial and critical success and spawned a successful film franchise.

11. The Mercy (2018)

The Mercy is a British biographical drama film , directed by James Marsh and written by Scott Z. Burns. It is based on the true story of the disastrous attempt by the amateur sailor Donald Crowhurst to complete the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race in 1968 and his subsequent attempts to cover up his failure.

12. The Odyssey (2016)

The Odyssey is a movie which chronicles the life of the great Jacques Cousteau. Jacques Cousteau is perhaps one of the most famous French persons in the world due to his pioneering work on scuba diving, underwater exploration and film-making which introduced a whole generation to the wonders of reef and marine life in the ocean.

13. Turning Tide – En solitaire (2013)

It tells the story of Yann Kermadec whose dreams suddenly come true when he has to replace the DCNS star skipper at the last minute before the start of the Vendée Globe (a round-the-world non-stop single-handed yacht race). After several days of racing, Yann, who is in the lead, has to stop to repair a damaged rudder. This will disrupt his round-the-world journey…

14. White squall (1996)

Teenage boys discover discipline and camaraderie on an ill-fated sailing voyage. It is a coming of age film in which a group of high school and college-aged teenagers sign up for several months of training aboard a sail ship, a brigantine, and travel around half the globe when suddenly they are challenged by a severe storm.

15. WIND (1992)

Will Parker, played by Matthew Modine, loses the Americas Cup, the worlds biggest sailing prize, to the Australians and decides to form his own syndicate to win it back. In 1983, yacht sailor Will Parker (Matthew Modine) leads an American crew financed by millionaire Morgan Weld (Cliff Robertson) to defeat during the America’s Cup race against an Australian crew. Determined to get the prize back, Will convinces Morgan to finance an experimental boat designed by his ex-girlfriend Kate’s (Jennifer Grey) new beau, Joe Heisler (Stellan Skarsgard). When the boat is completed, the Americans head to Australia to reclaim the cup.

Finally, what do you think about our 15 sailing movies to watch at least one time in your life?

The 7 most beautiful bays in the mediterranean sea, top 15 places sailing around mediterranean sea this summer, 10 sailing tips essentials to make you a better sailor, taking your sailboat on holiday: a comprehensive guide to boat shipping, live your passion, subscribe to our mailing list.

Maiden Voyage. Round the world race by first all female crew.

What about “Maiden”. Terrific women’s movie, but good for all.

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

The best sailing films and documentaries chosen by the YM team

• Katy Stickland
• March 24, 2020

The Yachting Monthly editorial team reveal their pick of the best sailing films and documentaries to keep you entertained in the weeks to come. Feel free to share your favourites at [email protected]

Like many, we understand and accept the need to stay at home although we do feel frustrated that we can’t get out on our boats right now, so we tried to come up with the next best thing – watching films about sailing!

Here are our choices to keep you entertained in the weeks to come.

Hopefully these sailing films and documentaries will offer you a world of cruising escapism – just like Yachting Monthly does every month.

Remember, you can always get Yachting Monthly delivered direct to your door with a subscription or stay in touch via our Facebook , Twitter , Instagram or YouTube channels.

Theo Stocker – Editor chooses his favourite sailing films

*yachting monthly is not paid by manufacturers for our recommendations. if you click through and buy an item, we may receive a small amount of money from the retailer, at no cost to you.*.

Cross 1980s America’s Cup sailing with Top Gun , and you get an idea of what Wind is about.

Cheesey it may be, but fast boats, high drama, preening egos and the obligatory love interest match genuinely well-filmed sailing sequences for one of the most quotable sailing films of all time.

Wind follows one sailor’s dream to reclaim the greatest sailing trophy of them all – the America’s Cup.

After Will Parker (Matthew Modine) fails to lead his American crew to victory against challengers, Australia, he convinces his millionaire backer, Morgan Weld (Cliff Robertson) to finance an experimental yacht.

The boat has been designed by Joe Heisler (Stellan Skarsgard), the new partner of Will’s ex-girlfriend Kate, played by Jennifer Grey.

The film has some fantastic cinematography.

Buy the DVD now on Amazon (UK)

As sailors we are often faced with having to solve problems, sometimes miles from home.

Just think of Jeanne Socrates and how she overcame endless equipment failure to sail solo around the world non-stop without assistance.

All of it makes good fodder for films.

Adrift is based on the book Red Sky in Mourning – Tami Oldham Ashcraft’s true account of sailing into a Pacific hurricane, dismasting, and then sailing solo under jury rig for 41 days alone to Hawaii.

Admittedly the film plays fast and lose with the true story’s facts but it is still hugely entertaining.

You feel the terror of the extreme conditions and marvel as Tami manages to solve the catalogue of near voyage-ending disasters – no matter how implausible some of it might seem.

Pure escapism, and a reminder that when the chips are down there is usually a way out.

Watch it now on Amazon prime video (UK)

White Squall

Based on the 1961 sinking of the schooner, Albatross in the Gulf of Mexico, the Ridley Scott-directed film follows Captain Christopher Sheldon, played by Jeff Bridges, at the helm as he tries to teach fortitude and discipline to his youthful crew of Chuck Gieg (Scott Wolf), Frank Beaumont (Jeremy Sisto), Gil Martin (Ryan Phillippe) and Dean Preston (Eric Michael Cole).

When caught in a white squall, the boys use what they’ve been taught to survive. It is a bit like the Robin Williams’ classic Dead Poet’s Society , but at sea.

Jeff Bridges is solid as ‘Skipper’ who tries to make the boys men through life afloat, but some of the special effects are dodgy (At one point you can see some of them standing on the bottom of the tank).

The best part about this film (and the reason I think you should watch it) is the ship itself. The brigantine rigged Eye of the Wind , which is the Albatross in the film, is spectacular to see on the screen and it is easy to transport yourself out of your living room and almost feel the wind in the sails.

Katy Stickland – Deputy Editor chooses her favourite sailing films

En solitaire.

Also released under the title Turning Tide , this French film follows one man’s Vendée Globe race which gets turned upside down when he stops to make repairs in the Canary Islands and lands up with a stowaway on board.

Threatened with disqualification if his stowaway is discovered, weathered skipper Yann Kermadec struggles with his emotions, having to deceive his shore team as well as handling the pressures of the race.

Yes, it is a bit predictable but it is a heartwarming tale of how two very different people become friends.

I really liked the sequence at the start of the race and how the film captures the intensity of a solo round the world yacht race. The soundtrack is pretty good too.

What is more inspiring than watching Tracy Edwards and her ground breaking all-female crew in the 1989-90 Whitbread Round the World Race?

I have watched Maiden four times now and it still leaves me with a lump in my throat as Maiden makes her way back into Portsmouth, and punching the air when Tracy lifts up her well deserved Yachtsman of the Year Award.

Read the full review of Maiden here: ‘Powerful and inspirational’ Maiden documentary

The onboard footage is fascinating to watch, especially their second leg through the Southern Ocean which they won. You celebrate with them ( Maiden won Leg 2 and 3 in their class) and feel their pain when gear failure leaves them third in Leg 5 to Fort Lauderdale.

This footage is beautifully spliced with interviews with the crew members reflecting on their race. The brutal honesty still takes my breath away. One wonders if their male rivals would be equally as honest.

And yes, the disparaging expectations of some of the male sailing journalists still grates. Attitudes are changing thankfully, although more needs to be done!

Donald Crowhurst’s tragic 1968 Golden Globe Race aboard Teignmouth Electron brought to the big screen.

This still remains one of the best sailing films I have ever seen (and being married to a sailor and Whitbread/Golden Globe Race devotee I’ve seen nearly all of them, from films like Wind and The Old Man and the Sea to documentaries including Round the World with Ridgeway and Drum ).

The sailing is authentic for a Hollywood film, and yes there are some modern boats in some of the scenes shot in Teignmouth Harbour, but overall the sailing is true to life.

Read the full review here: The Mercy: ‘One of the best sailing films I’ve ever seen’

Colin Firth is standout as Crowhurst, who almost sleep walks to his fate, clinging on to the hope that he can prove the cynics wrong and win the race.

The film certainly got Sir Robin Knox-Johnston’s approval who described it as ‘a great film’. What more of an endorsement do you need?

Toby Heppell – Sailing Editor chooses his favourite sailing films

There is no denying this is an absolutely bonkers film.

I’m no film connoisseur but it’s well known this film absolutely tanked at the box office and was famous for losing quite a substantial amount of money – though when you finally factor in video sales apparently it just about saw a profit.

That being said, I absolutely adored this film when it came out. I was in my early teens at the time and racing dinghies at the weekend. Even then I remember feeling like someone behind the scenes actually knew about sailing.

Sure there are moments – as in many films featuring sailing – that sails are flapping or backed and the boat is happily making way forwards as if by magic. But the key sailing scenes remain impressive to this day.

The two 60ft trimarans that where used to shoot it were still look pretty modern even now. I remember watching Kevin Costner in full silent hero mode high-tailing it from the baddies, setting off downwind and firing a kite into the sky to help him speed away.

Not a spinnaker, mind, an actual kite. It felt like an inside joke about sailing slang put there just for me. Even now, I still return to it on the odd occasion.

It’s rare to see Hollywood doing sailing. It’s rare to see this much money thrown in the direction of sailing on the screen. If you can ignore the plot, the dialogue and much of the acting it remains a solid watch.

Morning Light

This was a real revelation when it came out and remains a solid documentary.

Fifteen young sailors embark on six months of training with the ultimate aim to sail a TP52 across the Pacific Ocean taking part in the TRANSPAC.

The premise is that this young, inexperienced crew (made up of 18-23 year olds) sailing Morning Light race the 2,300 miles against some of sailing’s top professionals.

The whole thing was funded by Roy Disney and remains a stunning testament to the rigours of racing and sailing offshore, and how much can be achieved by young sailors give a chance.

The Perfect Storm

As with Waterworld , The Perfect Storm is objectively pretty trashy. It’s made all the worse by the fact that there is no sailing at all in the film.

That it is loosely (very, very loosely) based on a true story of a fishing boat that heads out into the titular perfect storm with… consequences. It’s what keeps me coming back.

I grew up in a small town in Essex with a proud fishing tradition. The fishermen of the town would head out into the north sea on Smacks and other craft to ply their trade and, all too often, never return.

The walls of our local church are literally lined with memorials to those brave, lost men – the descendants of who still live there now.

So, The Perfect Storm may be about a fishing boat, in America, without sails, but it also serves to remind us what the sea can be capable of.

And it conjures thoughts for me, of those countless numbers who lost their lives at sea and under sail to keep the country and their families fed.

For all the latest from the sailing world, follow our social media channels Facebook, Twitter and Instagram .

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The story of Tracy Edwards, a 24-year-old cook on charter boats, who became the skipper of the first ever all-female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989. The story of Tracy Edwards, a 24-year-old cook on charter boats, who became the skipper of the first ever all-female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989. The story of Tracy Edwards, a 24-year-old cook on charter boats, who became the skipper of the first ever all-female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989.

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• Trivia In 2014, Tracy Edwards learned that her boat, "Maiden," was rotting on the rocks in The Seychelles, a small group of islands in the Indian Ocean off East Africa, where it had been abandoned by its owner two years before. She crowdfunded the money to repurchase the wreck in 2016, and took another year to restore it at Southampton, where she and her crew had rebuilt it the first time in 1989. As of 2019, it is on a three-year world tour to raise money and awareness for girls' access to education in poorer nations. Her project is called "The Maiden Factor."

Tracy Edwards : We were a real mixed bag of mostly dropouts, misfits and gypsies and nomads. We were all running away from something, but we were family units... I mean surreal family units.

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‘The Mercy’ Review: Sailing Around the World, or Maybe Not

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By Jeannette Catsoulis

• Nov. 29, 2018

What drives a man to abandon a doting wife (Rachel Weisz) and three of the best-behaved children in Christendom to circumnavigate the globe in an ill-prepared trimaran? The makers of “The Mercy” have a few ideas; but perhaps the most reliable message of this based-on-real-life tale is that middle age is a bitch.

Whatever the reason, such was the appeal of this adventure that Donald Crowhurst (Colin Firth), a mild-mannered engineer and indifferent sailor, was willing to risk everything to take to sea. The event was the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, which ran from 1968-69 in the publicity-roiled wake of Sir Francis Chichester’s successful round-the-world yacht trip . The goal was to one-up Chichester, who had made only a single stop, and finish the race without touching land.

From the very first frame, the movie’s concern with deception is signaled as a bikini-clad exhibition model feigns water-skiing against a painted backdrop. Having leveraged everything he owns to acquire a shrewd financial backer (Ken Stott) and a wily press agent (David Thewlis), Crowhurst soon recognizes his recklessness while pretending to his family that all is well. Delayed for months as his specially modified boat is completed, he finally embarks, only to encounter critical equipment failure and the outer limits of his competence. Unable to continue and unwilling to face the embarrassment and bankruptcy that await him if he turns back, he devises a contemptible third option that will finally prove even more ruinous.

Directed, very respectfully, by James Marsh, “The Mercy” (the title comes from Crowhurst’s final logbook entry) is a terribly English drama, starchy and repressed. Downplaying the selfishness and irresponsibility of Crowhurst’s actions, Marsh has made a movie about a man playing the part of a hero — apparently, in this telling, to restore his self-respect and gain the admiration of his children. Things loosen up a little at sea, but this is no “All is Lost” : the effects are far from special and neither is Crowhurst’s boiled-milk personality. A 2001 New York Times review of Peter Nichols’ book about the race, “A Voyage for Madmen,” calls him “the saddest character ever to put to sea.”

If that’s true, then Firth nails him, albeit in a performance so restrained that it only emphasizes the movie’s lack of oceanic excitement. Yet in prioritizing Crowhurst’s psychological frailty over his physical challenges (both conveyed more evocatively in the excellent 2007 documentary “Deep Water” ), Firth and his director find something quietly touching, even soulful, in the character’s wretchedness. In this somber tragedy, the real demons are never anywhere but right inside that boat.

The Mercy Not rated. In English and Spanish, with English subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 52 minutes.

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'It is the mercy'

Donald Crowhurst's last diary entry before he disappeared overboard. Carving by Tacita Dean

07 Feb 2018

The Mercy starring Colin Firth portrays Donald Crowhurst's tragic attempt to sail around the world single-handedly in the first race of its kind. Maritime specialist Jeremy Michell sheds light on the perils of sailing alone, the progress of yacht racing, and the importance of remembering failure.

By Kate Wilkinson

Visit the National Maritime Museum

The thrill of the race

Fifty years ago, the Sunday Times Golden Globe became the first solo non-stop round-the-world yacht race. Building on the international celebrity of Francis Chichester’s circumnavigation in 1966-67, the UK newspaper launched a sailing event to capture the world’s imagination – the ultimate competition of skill and endurance, and open to anyone, amateurs included.

'Yacht racing in this country has always been big, but it tended to be fairly elitist in the past,' says Jeremy Michell, a sailing instructor and part of the National Maritime Museum’s curatorial team, 'The Golden Globe opened up in a more popular mind the idea that people who are not wealthy could go and take part.'

Yachting really began when King Charles II brought his enthusiasm for the activity to England on return from exile in 1660 and raced yachts down the Thames against his brother for huge wagers. In the late 1870s, Lord Brassey achieved the first circumnavigation by a private yacht, building himself a steam-assisted three-masted schooner called 'Sunbeam' and sailing round the world with his family. The boat's figurehead is on display in the National Maritime Museum.

The Golden Globe opened up in a more popular mind the idea that people who are not wealthy could go and take part.

Struggling businessman and sailing amateur Donald Crowhurst was the classic underdog when he entered the 1968 competition. Putting everything into the race, he had signed a contract with his sponsor whose penalty clause meant that he would forfeit his house and business if he didn’t finish.

A doomed adventure

Crowhurst waved goodbye to his wife and four children on the race’s last eligible day aboard the Teignmouth Electron, a trimaran he had barely sailed before setting off. He had planned to equip the vessel with his own safety features, the success of which he hoped would revive his business in maritime navigational technology, Electron Utilisation Ltd. But he hadn’t completed the work before leaving British shores, leaving him in the process of tweaking while sailing.

It didn’t take Crowhurst long to realise how perilously ill-equipped he would be to tackle the waves of the Southern Ocean. If he continued he could die, but quitting would ruin him financially.

For a while it seemed like the plucky amateur could steal the race when Crowhurst started reporting false coordinates showing incredible gains in distance. The deception ended when after weeks alone at sea under immense physical, personal, and financial pressure, he committed suicide. This seemed the most likely cause of his disappearance: when rescuers found his abandoned trimaran, they discovered log books and reams of diary entries showing a collapsing mind.

Crowhurst’s tragedy caused a worldwide sensation. The Sunday Times Golden Globe didn’t run again, and its winner, Robin Knox-Johnston donated his £5,000 winnings to Crowhurst’s grieving family. Knox-Johnston was the only entrant to complete the race, with the other entrants forced to retire along the way.

Solitude at sea

Crowhurst’s behaviour was seen by many as foolish and reckless. He was certainly underprepared, and his false reporting put unnecessary pressure on his fellow competitors. One bad decision followed another, and he was soon lost in a nightmare predicament. How could he let things go so wrong?

Michell says it’s important not to underestimate both the physical and mental challenge of a solo voyage: 'Unless you have done that sort of race, it’s very difficult to make a judgement call as to what the trigger points are to make someone lose their mind in that way and potentially commit suicide.'

Alone at sea, you might catch about 20 minutes of sleep before you’re up again doing something. Performing the roles of a whole crew, you have to be mentally alert all the time. A small change of sound on the boat might wake you up.

Unless you have done that sort of race, it’s very difficult to make a judgement call as to what the trigger points are to make someone lose their mind in that way and potentially commit suicide.

Not only that, without anyone to talk to, 'you’ve got no one to relieve any emotional issues you might have, whether that’s frustration, anger, sadness, loneliness.' Michell knows those who have sailed long distances on their own. During one transatlantic voyage, a friend would call any ship he saw just for the sake of another voice (as well as to confirm his position with their navigation): 'He said you could end up in tears over the most stupid things because it’s the only emotional release you have.'

Though at home it might seem bizarre, when you’re on your own it’s a very different emotional experience, Michell says.

21st Century racing

Though the stakes are high, sailing around the world single-handedly continues to present an appealing challenge. Yachting is as popular as ever and there have been numerous successful racing events world-wide.

What has changed in yacht racing between now and Crowhurst’s day?

Michell lists the improvements to on board technology: the use of hydraulics to keep the yacht stable, electronic equipment for winches, hoisting and dropping sails. Most importantly, there’s the communication. Satellite telephones and beacons allow people to know where you are. In short, 'there’s a lot more of a safety net,' Michell says.

Today it would be unimaginable for a sailor of Crowhurst’s limited experience to take part in such a demanding voyage. The Vendée Globe, a single-handed non-stop round-the-world race founded in 1989, requires its entrants to undertake survival training before participating.

Commemorating failure

Royal Museums Greenwich plays host to some of the most dramatic, awe-inspiring, and successful maritime stories through the objects on display and in conservation. John Harrison’s 18th Century marine timekeepers in the Royal Observatory were the first instruments to solve the problem of finding longitude at sea.

Also in our collection is Donald Crowhurst’s ‘Navicator’ , which he produced and took with him on his doomed voyage. On free display in the Queen’s House is a series of striking photographs by artist Tacita Dean, of Crowhurst’s abandoned trimaran on the coast of the island Cayman Brac. In the National Maritime Museum you can find the artist's carving, of the words 'It is the mercy', which refer to Crowhurst's final diary entry.

So why do we preserve the memory of such a sad event in maritime history?

'It’s always good to remember that life isn’t one long successful winning streak,' Michell says, 'it was never obvious that Britain would be a top maritime nation: it happened through incidences, setbacks, circumstances, failures and successes. In terms of sailing and our yachting industry, it’s exactly the same.'

Crowhurst’s story is a useful reminder of the dangers of yachting, and would have made an impact on the regulation of similar racing events since 1968. 'Out of failure can come some kind of success that makes it safer for other people,' Michell says.

The race’s revival

2018 marks the 50th anniversary of that first ill-fated race. Following a number of books and documentaries over the years, Colin Firth plays Crowhurst in the upcoming film, The Mercy, which is set to fascinate audiences anew. In an earlier preview of the film last year, Robin Knox-Johnston expressed his satisfaction with the film in an interview with Yachting & Boating World magazine.

Later in the year, the Golden Globe race will be re-launched to test sailors under the same circumstances that Crowhurst and Knox-Johnston faced. No modern satellite technology is allowed for navigation – instead competitors must use their skills with instruments such as sextants to make the necessary calculations to steer a good course.

As a safety measure, the race’s website states that:

'All entrants will be tracked 24/7 by satellite, but competitors will not be able to interrogate this information unless an emergency arises and they break open their sealed safety box containing a GPS and satellite phone.'

Also unlike the original race, entrants must show prior ocean sailing experience of at least 8,000 miles and another 2,000 miles solo.

In July the competitors will set off for a challenge like no other.

Even after 50 years, the events of 1968 continue to both haunt and inspire the world’s imagination.

Banner image: 'It is the mercy' by Tacita Dean, courtesy of the artist and Frith Street Gallery.

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