N.B. to be only Canadian stop for legendary yacht with all-female crew

It's an epic journey, in every sense of the word.

The Maiden, a U.K. racing yacht helmed by an all-female crew, is on a three-year world tour that will see it cover 90,000 nautical miles, visit more than 60 destinations in 20 countries and encourage countless girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering or math.

It set sail from Dubai in January and is now crossing the Atlantic Ocean toward southern U.S., where it will then work its way up the Eastern Seaboard.

In early August, it will make its first and only Canadian stop this year — in the port of Saint John.

As a waterborne ambassador for the Maiden Factor Foundation, Maiden's mission is a lofty one: work with, raise funds for and support communities to help girls access education, and empower them to see their education and career goals through to the finish line.

And it has a backstory that makes it uniquely suited to its mission.

"Maiden herself was originally a symbol of female empowerment in the sailing community," Paula Copeland, director of engagement and sustainability for Port Saint John, said in an interview.

"And it was quite well-known for that."

In 1989, Tracy Edwards, then 26 and a former cook on charter boats, became the skipper of the first all-female crew to enter the notoriously difficult Whitbread Round the World race.

Edwards and her team won two of the toughest legs on the course and came second overall, a landmark moment that opened the door to competitive female sailing.

Edwards sold Maiden at the end of the race, but later, in 2014, she learned the yacht had been abandoned and was rotting in the Seychelles.

She raised money to buy it and bring it back to the U.K., where it underwent an extensive restoration and inspired Edwards to set up The Maiden Factor charitable foundation.

"We were told we couldn't do it," the London-based Edwards says on the foundation's website.

"But we showed how sailing is a level playing field. Now, I'm making it my mission to advocate for girls' education around the world."