Women in the Wind

Janet uses every trick in the book to persuade Ace to lend her his very fast aircraft for the Los Angeles Derby. She views the opportunity as a chance to prove her piloting skill and win the prize. The move kicks off in Los Angeles as the race looms.

Ace is initially reluctant to lend his plane, weighing the risks and his feelings. He agrees only after learning Janet needs funds to pay for her brother Bill's operation. This shifts the plan from reluctance to collaboration.

Defying gravity and caution, Janet steals the aircraft to showcase her piloting ability. The stunt marks her readiness to take on the derby with a high-performance machine. The bold move strains the trust between Janet and Ace.

Ace discovers that Janet is the sister of Bill Steele, a fellow pilot who is bedridden and in need of money for treatment. Understanding her motive softens his stance and aligns their interests. He decides to support her effort despite past reservations.

Frieda, Ace's estranged wife, reveals their Mexican divorce isn't legal, leaving the airplane partly hers. She intends to chase the derby's prize herself and undermines Janet by painting Ace as unsupportive. The conflict heats up as sabotage schemes begin to form.

To sidestep Janet's suspicions, Ace arranges for his friend Denny Corson to lend his home-built plane, making Janet unaware of Ace's involvement. The substitution gives Janet a capable aircraft for the race. The arrangement keeps Ace in the background while Janet prepares to race.

The race begins with Janet reaching the first stopover at Wichita ahead of Frieda. Frieda stays within striking distance, keeping the rivalry close. The early lead sets the tone for a tense contest through the midwest leg.

Kit Campbell's engine catches fire and she crashes, forcing a moment of concern. A letter from Doc arrives, revealing his love for Janet and claiming that Ace was involved in obtaining Denny's airplane. The revelation sows doubt and compounds the race's internal conflicts.

Frieda meets a race mechanic who agrees to sabotage Janet's plane for $2000, enabling her to gain an advantage. The mechanic uses a fuel-leak issue to force Janet down during the route. The sabotage escalates the danger the contestants face.

Forced to land on a farm due to the fuel issue, Janet refuels and attempts a takeoff only to tear off a wheel of her landing gear without noticing. The damaged gear raises the peril of finishing the race. She presses on despite the setback.

An intense electrical storm strikes, disabling Janet's radio and cutting ground communication. She must rely on her instincts and flight skills to continue toward Cleveland. The storm heightens the isolation of the final leg.

As rivals near Cleveland, Frieda hears a radio message and signals Janet about her danger, effectively forfeiting her own chance to win. The act shifts the balance in the race and saves Janet from disaster. The rivalry turns into an uneasy alliance of sorts.

Janet executes a safe landing and crosses the finish line first, securing the derby prize. Frieda hands Ace a telegram confirming the divorce is legal, sealing Janet's win and securing a new alliance with Ace. Janet thanks Frieda as the victory also ties her to Ace.