St Mary’s Jenny Day Prepares for Clipper Round the World Race

Having participated in triathlons, the Henley Women's Regatta and the London Marathon, Primary Partnership Co-ordinator at St Mary’s University, Twickenham Jenny Day has decided to try a more challenging adventure. In September 2015, Jenny will be one of the many competitors taking part in the Clipper Round the World Sailing Race. Set up in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox Johnson, the first person to circumnavigate the world, the Clipper Round the World Race aims to give people the chance to sail around the globe, even if they have no sailing experience. Jenny, who describes herself as challenge orientated, did not have any previous knowledge of the race, only coming across it when she went to see the start of the current race by chance. She said, “I just saw all these boats and crews and found out that anyone can take part in the race. You don’t have to have any experience in sailing at all and I thought this would be absolutely amazing to do.” Starting in the UK and travelling through South America, South Africa, Australia, Asia and America before returning to the UK, 14 boats make up the fleet that race around the world in eight stages, known as legs. Competitors do not have to participate throughout the whole race and Jenny will be sailing from San Francisco to New York. It is estimated that Jenny’s leg of the race will take approximately two months with the entire course completed in a year. Applicants who are selected to take part have to undergo an intense four level training programme where they learn and develop skills such as team work and maintaining the yacht. Jenny explains, “You have to pass each of the levels before you can go on to the next one. I’ve just done my level one course and my level two course is booked for October. It covers sea survival where you learn how to stay alive in the sea in a life raft, and how to use flares and a helicopter winch. It’s crazy but I love learning the new skills. “The learning curve is enormous because I don’t know all the sailing terminology or what everything does. We have amazing instructors and get to meet people who will be in the same situation. I think I will be well prepared.” Each boat is made up of a team of 50 people, including doctors and nurses, but there will only be 20-24 team members on board at a time. Everyone has to take part in everyday tasks such as cooking or sail repairs but each individual will have their own specialism. Jenny admits that living in such tight accommodation will feel like Big Brother but you have to be the kind of person who “doesn’t fly off the handle and can have a laugh”. Crew members will also need to take into account how much luggage to bring with them to ensure the boat is not too heavy. Jenny explains, “The heavier the boat, the slower it will race. So you have to decide with your crew whether you want to take 12 more pair of socks so you have warm feet and risk having a slower boat, or whether you want to endure wet feet to have a fast boat.” During her time away Jenny will be able to communicate by an email account set up by the organisers (as it will be more cost effective) and will be able to write a blog. This should bring relief to her father who was concerned about her welfare, while her mother supported her decision from the beginning. Jenny added, “My mum said that she’s always wanted to do something like that which shocked me as I didn’t think she’d ever say that. She was like, ‘bring it on!’” The date for the Clipper Round the World Race 2015-16 has not been confirmed but it is likely to start in August or September 2015. Image courtesy of onEdition