Robin Knox-Johnston

As the sixth Clipper Round the World Yacht Race comes to a close, we can reflect on the last ten months and the effect that 35,000 miles of racing has had on the 400 people’s lives who participated as crew in the race.

Firstly they will have become competent sailors, and for those who had never sailed before they joined the Clipper Training programme a year or more ago, this means they have learned a new sport. But they have not done this in the sheltered waters of the Solent; they have done it through all the oceans of the world, in calms and in storms.

Just over two weeks ago the Clipper crews were enjoying the heat and sun of the Caribbean, now they have moved to the rain and fog of the north east Coast of America and the Grand Banks off Nova Scotia. It’s the sort of contrast that sailors take in their stride as they traverse the world, and shorts and t-shirts are replaced by thermal gear and wet weather gear as temperatures drop.