The Maiden crew have been written into the history books as the first ever all-women crew to win an around the world yacht race, after being officially declared winners of the McIntyre Ocean Globe Race.

The international all-female crew crossed the Royal Yacht Squadron, Cowes, finish line at 10.52am last Tuesday having sailed 6,599 nautical miles from Punta del Este on leg 4 of the race.

Their closest rival for IRC overall title, Triana FR (66), needed to finish by this morning, but is now facing headwinds 150 nautical miles from Cowes with an ETA of 5pm tomorrow (Tuesday).

Maiden UK (03) won the race, taking first in IRC handicap rankings against a 14 strong fleet of experienced and committed sailors.

The crew has won fans worldwide. Maiden now returns to her Southampton home waters ready for retirement.

Skipper Heather Thomas, the youngest skipper in the fleet, spoke of her pride in taking first place.

“It’s very exciting to be the first all-female crew to win an around the world race. It’s a historic moment. The girls have worked really hard for it and we’re very proud of our achievement. We have the best crew and the best boat so what can I say!

"To those we raced against it’s been a pleasure to get to know them and we’re going to miss them. It’s been an incredible first OGR and I hope the ones that follow are as good. Maiden won’t do the next one, but I will.”

Read the County Press's exclusive interview with Heather here

Her crew hailed from the UK, Antigua, USA, South Africa, France and Afghanistan. 

It’s fitting that Maiden should take the McIntyre Ocean Globe-winning title with her poignant Whitbread history.

Designed by Bruce Farr, the 58-foot aluminum hulled yacht came fourth in the 1981-82 Whitbread, known then as Disque D’Or 3.

She was then renamed Stabilo Boss for the 1986-87 BOC single-handed challenge coming seventh.

In 1987 she was bought by Tracy Edwards, who made headlines in the 1989 Whitbread skippering the iconic yacht around the world with an all-female crew.