Born in Suffolk but spending her childhood in Norfolk – mainly afloat on the Norfolk Broads, Sarah’s first offshore experience was with the Ocean Youth Club from Brightlingsea aged 14. She went on to serve with the Woman’s Royal Navy Service (WRNS) from 1982, before going to Sandhurst to train as an Army Officer and serve in Germany and UK for 7 years.
Having spotted a small advert in Yachts and Yachting: ‘crew wanted for Maiden’, with leave of absence granted by the Army (and newly-wed husband), she joined the team as Reserve Crew, nine months before the race. She participated with the rest of the crew in training, publicity events, the Fastnet race and preparation of Maiden. She raced on leg three, from New Zealand to Australia, in place of Sally Creaser.
After the race Sarah continued to sail with the Army offshore team as well as in a variety of other boats, including their Nordic Folkboat and various dinghies, around family life with three children and twelve homes following Simon’s military career including Kiel (Germany), London, Suffolk and Cyprus.
Now settled in Suffolk, Sarah is currently the Resident Instructor at Aldeburgh Yacht Club where she manages all the RYA and Club training activities, as well as sailing her Lapwing dinghy and their Trintella 29.
Currently, the racing yacht Maiden has been resurrected with a determined new life carrying forward Tracy Edwards’ Maiden Factor Foundation supporting girls’ education.