Traditionally a male dominated sport, Tracy was determined to enter the 1989 Whitbread with a crew made up entirely of women. Against all the odds she managed to recruit a 12 women crew and Maiden sailed into the history books when it finished in second position in its class, as well as winning two out of six individual legs. Regarded as the toughest yacht race in the world, they endured gruelling conditions and savage seas on the perilous ninth month journey. Tracy became the first woman for more than three decades to be awarded the Yachtsman of the Year Trophy and was also appointed MBE in recognition of this remarkable achievement.