Racing yacht Maiden making waves in the Port City

After a red-carpet welcome to the Port City that included big crowds, tugboat water shows, and a 30-vessel welcome flotilla, the all-female-crewed racing yacht Maiden is launching a week of activities in Saint John.

Maiden, a compact and speedy 58-foot sailboat, is travelling the world promoting girls' education and motivating women to enter careers in S.T.E.A.M. — science, technology, engineering, art, and math. The money raised by the Maiden Factor goes toward girls' educational programmes around the globe.

It might not be immediately obvious to landlubbers — but sailing requires mathematical problem-solving skills and scientific concepts, said Maiden Factor founder and project manager Tracy Edwards, who will speak at a ticketed event at the Union Club on Aug. 10. 

"There's navigation, which is maths. Science has a lot to do with how you put sails up, how the wind angles work, all of those other things," Edwards told CBC in a July interview. 

"Through sailing we can demonstrate — in a fun way, in an out-of-the-classroom kind of way — how all of these skills can be used."

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Saint John is the Maiden's only Canadian stop. The vessel will remain in port until Aug. 13.

Events include a visit with Able Sail, a non-profit organization providing the experience of sailing to people living with a disability, a crew talk with the Saint John's Learning Exchange-Women's Empowerment Network, activities with Brilliant Labs and the Saint John Boys and Girls Club, an evening regatta with learn-to-sail students at the Royal Kennebecasis yacht club, and a stop at the Sea Shanty Festival in St. Martins. 

The public can take open boat tours Saturday, Aug. 6