World’s Longest Ocean Race Calls on Vancouver Residents to Take on 40,000 Mile Ocean Adventure
Apr 6, 2016
The world’s longest ocean race is calling on more Vancouver residents to take on the challenge of a lifetime and achieve something extraordinary in the next edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
This week, alumni race crew member Romanda Simpson will host a talk in the city on Tuesday 29 March at False Creek Yacht Club at 7:00pm. Romanda, 34, from Vancouver took part in the 2013-14 edition of the race, sailing more than 12,000 nautical miles from Australia to the USA via Singapore and China.
Ahead of her talk, she says: “The race was nothing like I’ve ever experienced! It was breath-taking, challenging and enlightening all at the same time. I would do it again in a heartbeat. It really set the stage for me…
“I look at what else I can achieve, in my relationships, in my physical stamina and development, in my emotional growth, and of course in the other adventures waiting for me. It’s shown me my strengths and encouraged me to push myself further.
“I hope sharing my stories with people at the talk will light a spark in them, give them a thirst for something huge in their life…and remind them they really can do what they set their mind to!”
Now in its twentieth anniversary year, the Clipper Race, which was founded by legendary British sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world in 1968-69 is unique. It is the only event which trains people like Romanda to race across the world’s oceans, including 73 Canadians since the races inception. 40 per cent of Clipper Race crew, who come from all walks of life and a range of nationalities, and backgrounds, have never sailed before they sign up and start their extensive training.
Each of the fleet of 12 yachts is sponsored by a city, region or country around the world and each of the teams is led by a professional skipper. Romanda’s race was the first to have a Canadian Skipper, 35 year-old Vancouver resident, Eric Holden, who led his team to victory, winning the race series with his team, Henri Lloyd. From the success of his Clipper Race campaign, Eric went on to be awarded with the 2014 Sail Canada Rolex Sailor of the Year.
Eric says: “It is great to see the race returning to the Pacific Northwest for the first time since the stopover in Victoria in 2005. I know how challenging the Pacific race can be so if you get a chance, talk to the race crew and you may become inspired to start your adventure”.
The Clipper Race is open to anyone over the age of 18 at the time the race starts, but there is no upper age limit.
More information about the race and how to RSVP to the event can be found on the Clipper Race website here.
The Clipper Race fleet is currently racing across the North Pacific to Seattle, USA and is estimated to arrive at Bell Harbor Marina between 15 – 20 April. Visit the Race Village to meet the intrepid crew and take a tour of the boats before the fleet heads off on the next stage of the adventure on 28 April.
