Today we are live with Skipper Heather Thomas in Capetown, South Africa. The all female crew has finished the first leg of this retro style round the world race – inspired by the first Whitbread race in 1968. Why retro? All the competitors are racing in boats built before 1988 and there is zero tech on board. We are talking sextants – in 2023! See Ocean Globe Race website to keep track of the entire race.
On Sports Byline USA- broadcast worldwide. Hit the LIVESTREAM PLAYER
The OGR fleet is divided into the Adventure Class (47ft-56ft), Sayula Class (56.1ft- 66ft) and Flyer Class, which is for yachts previously entered in the 1973, 1977, or 1981 Whitbread Round the World Race, or of ‘relevant’ historic significance and ‘approved’ production-built, ocean-certified, sail-training yachts generally 55ft to 68ft LOA. MAIDEN is in the Flyer Class.
Heather (26) joined Maiden when the World Tour resumed after the pandemic and quickly
became an integral part of the crew. Her work ethic is legendary, and her enthusiasm
undimmed in the most challenging conditions. Her journey up through the ranks to Skipper
has been through sheer hard work, commitment and dedication to Maiden and our mission.
Sailing is in Heathers’ blood, coming from a long line of mariners. Growing up in Otley, West
Yorkshire, the sea was not close by, so Heather began her journey, dinghy sailing at the local
lake, Otley Sailing Club, encouraged by her father.
The Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation gave Heather her first taste of ocean sailing, with a
bursary to compete in the Pacific Leg of the 15/16 Clipper Round the World Race. She has
since worked in a variety of roles and vessels in the marine industry- from flotilla skipper to
teaching young people in the Caribbean, delivering a yacht from the Galapagos to New
Zealand, running flotilla holidays in the Ionian Islands and as Watch Leader for the Ocean
Youth Trust North.
Maiden has been a big inspiration to Heather throughout her sailing career, so to sail on her
is a dream come true. Whilst on the Maiden programme she gained her RYA Yachtmaster
Offshore (commercially endorsed) and loves inspiring young girls to dream big, a value that
was instilled in her by her parents, who continue to be her biggest supporters.
What drives Heather?
“The knowledge that someone out there is watching our journey and it is inspiring them. I
love the job and when you love what you do it doesn’t seem like work. I know that the
moments of freedom far outweigh the stressful ones.”