Leg 6
Heading south from Santa Cruz, California the crews will enter the Panama Canal. Once on the other side it will be a sprint race up to Jamaica.
19th April - Depart Santa Cruz
10th May - Arrive Panama
16th May - Depart Panama Canal
19th May - Arrive Port Antonio, Jamaica
Remember yachts have destinations, not arrival times, so all arrival dates are estimates and are subject to change.
Neil Withers
Claire Johnson
I have done a fair bit of sailing on tall ships, including a couple of transatlantic trips, and wanted to try something different, which does not require a cast of thousands to perform a manoeuvre. I also wanted to have a break from my nice comfortable, but rather monotonous job in front of a computer. So when I saw the Clipper website during the 2005/2006 race I thought it might be for me. After part A and B training I decided it was now or never, and I haven’t looked back since. I am really looking forward to getting to grips with as much as possible so that I can be a useful member of the team. My biggest challenge is likely to be preparing an edible meal for 15 or so people in a boat which is heeled over at a ridiculous angle. Even getting dressed to go on watch has proved extremely difficult when the boat is at an angle. I am not looking forward to having to repair huge rips in the spinnakers, so I have instructed the crew not to take them out of their bags! However, I fear that if we want to be serious contenders in this race we will have to use our spinnakers occasionally, so I must stand ready with the sewing machine (affectionately known as the spare anchor because of its weight and rusty appearance).
Ian Deas
The Clipper Race has given me the opportunity to take a career break and embark on a once in a lifetime adventure. I have been given an extended leave of absence from my employer, Pantheon Ventures, a private equity fund-of-funds, with whom I have been with for 17 years and am an Investment partner in the San Francisco Office. I was born in South Africa, grew up in Mtubatuba and after graduating from the University of Natal (Durban campus), emigrated with my wife (Karin) to the UK in 1986. Seven years later and accompanied by two children we moved to California which was only supposed to be a three year secondment. Now 14 years later we have three children (Jessica, Michael and Emma), have become US citizens and are comfortably settled in Walnut Creek which is about 20 miles east of San Francisco. My favorite winter pastime is skiing and as often as possible go to the Sierra Nevada mountain range where we have a house in a ski resort called Kirkwood. The summer months in the mountains are equally beautiful with wonderful hiking around pristine lakes and soaring peaks. My prior sailing experience consisted of some bareboat cruising with Karin as the skipper and me as the “incompetent” deckhand. I expect the competency level to improve from the Clipper experience.
Keith Howard
For many years I have said to friends and family … one day I am going to sail around the world …. One evening last November I was on the train travelling home from work whereupon I saw a full page advert in the London Evening Standard for the Clipper 07/08 round the world race. Almost immediately I sensed this is it, I’m going to do this. Over the following two weeks I looked at my personal situation, I had just turned 50; I wanted something extra in my life and decided that subject to being offered a place, I was going to race around the world. I filled in the application form ….. and here we are …
I am really looking forward to the whole event, the competitiveness of the race, the big oceans, the fantastic ports of call and the chance to explore new places, new friends, the team spirit and camaraderie which I am sure will be absolute; it is essential for a crew who must work together and who will be living in fairly tight conditions for weeks on end.
Mandy Brown
I lecture Personal and Management Development, at Hull University, and decided to practice what I preach - life needed a new challenge. Having decided to take a career break I had no idea what to do, just that I wanted to learn a new skill. However, with perfect timing whilst I was listing possible options an email arrived advertising the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. The idea of sailing took me back to 2003 when I visited Perth, Australia for the Rugby World Cup, where I visited the Maritime Museum and was captivated by the America’s Cup winning Australia II. So here I am four years on, another Rugby World Cup but this time I shall be setting off to ‘Sail Around the World’. I chose Durban Clipper as having lived there in the mid-eighties and visited many times since, it seemed appropriate to link my love of Africa with my new love of sailing. The boat does not have the vastness of Africa but the oceans do - earth’s last great wildernesses. In contrast the boat is somewhat ‘snug’ with 14 to a bedroom – which means teamwork and team spirit is crucial. Hopefully when I return in 2008 the ‘challenge’ will have been a life changing experience.
John Gray
I always thought that one day I would sail off into the distant yonder. From the very first time I was introduced to the sea as a child I suspect that I was hooked. That was probably the start of my long trip. We each have the ability to ask questions of ourselves, often without any answers. I guess for me that's what a lot of my journey is about, questioning and experiencing. I know that when I am even older and greyer I will be able to look back and reflect on some really amazing things. After making the initial Clipper enquiry my interest in the race gradually took over and my life began to take on a different perspective. Now I am here about to embark on the trip of a lifetime, sailing round the world. Having spent most of my professional career encouraging youngsters to be positive and proactive I decided it was about time I put my principles into practice. Why now ? Why not!!
Hagen Tropper
I’ve sailed for about 25 years, most of the time in the Mediterranean Sea. My dream of lifetime was sailing around the world as a crew member in a race and now I have the chance and have quit my job to do it. During the Part C1 training we had very strong wind and big waves and I thought to myself that’s what I want to do. I like challenges. I’ve crossed Australia on my motorbike, done parts of the Paris – Dakar and crossed deserts. I also like Baseball (it’s really unusual in Austria), but I think the best thing I will ever have done will start on the 16th of September. I don’t know why, but Durban was my first choice.
For me the hardest challenge is living with so many different people on such a small place for such a long time, but we all want the same so I hope and I’m sure there will be no big troubles.
I don’t know what will happen after this race but I think I won’t work in IT which has been my job for 25 years. I have now 10 month time to think over what I want to do next.
Tore Taraldsvik
My first offshore sailing was crossing the North Sea to the Shetland Islands, some 20 years ago, as crew on a Whitbread 81/82 boat. The boat was all teak inside in those days! The most spectacular, and possibly dangerous, adventure during that voyage was the passing, as we learned later, of the full Russian Black Sea fleet going north, and having an unmarked submarine popping up a hundred yards ahead. Times have changed, hopefully.
Later I have crossed the North Atlantic both ways, sailed down to Lanzarote and sailed shorthanded 10000 nm as single crew with a captain, from Australia to the Med. We were hit by the tsunami at Phi Phi Don, but were lucky, as other crew as well, to stay alive onboard.
So far, I have been sailing half way around the world, and Clipper Race is the proper way to tie the knot, different from any sailing before.
I am crew on Durban 2010 and Beyond. But to me the order of sequence is opposite. First it is Durban and Beyond. I am going to be crew on Durban from Durban and Beyond. Later comes 2010 and it is time to retire, but not from sailing.
I am sure the Race will be great fun for me at sea, but the life on board may be a challenge. My English is understood by most people, but I am from Norway. I had an English girlfriend a long time ago, but that relationship didn’t last as long as the Race!
But, don’t misunderstand; I am a great admirer of British seamanship!! And with many nationalities onboard we will get the right culture balance. The world is so small that I have worked in the same international company as the captain, but in different countries, and two of us, from different countries, have studied at the same university. Durban is global boat.
A quote from British seamanship is Nelsons “Ships and sailors rotten in harbours”. He wanted them out at sea, but I hope to get ashore Beyond harbours and marinas. My two long ocean sailing routes will cross at Nongsa Point in Indonesia, so it seems right to tie the knot there, getting the whole Durban crew away from the marina to a beautiful outdoor restaurant on a cliff looking over to Singapore in the night. Life is not just sailing!
Jan Nel
Age 46, single and crazy! Born and grew up in Ladismith, Little Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa. Started sailing 2 years ago altghough I had an active sports career hiking trails, running marathons, canoeing, windsurfing, motorbiking and going on safaris. I own a small yacht called "Oulik", meaning "cute" in Afrikaans. I'm a member of Mosslebay Boat and Yacht Club where I do my sailing.
Why this adventure? Life is too short to keep dreaming about what you want to do one day. I just like to live out my dreams every day as opportunities arise and funding and time is available. It is a wonderful experience meeting people from all over the world. Training by excellent people is also a bonus.
Lucy
Several years ago a friend completed the BT challenge & I thought - I want to do that too. So hear I am looking forward to joining the Durban Clipper in China and sailing her back to Liverpool. Very much looking forward to the experience, both the challenge of the sailing and the bigger challenge of working as a crack hot effective working team.
Apologies for the mystery but my work knows nothing about my plans as yet.
Bill Adams - Retired Aircraft Engineer
Married with a 42 year old daughter, who works in ITU
Enjoy reading, theatre, films almost any sport and almost any music. Dedicated (read fanatical) supporter of Yeovil Town Football Club and Somerset Cricket Club.
Until Part A had never set foot on a sailing boat before and probably never likely to again after leg 6. Had a wonderful Part C with 7 South Africans and am looking forward to seeing some of them again at Santa Cruz.
Prior to Part C Durban 2010 & Beyond would have been my 2nd choice (if I'd had one) after Uniquely Singapore having spent 2 1/2 years in Singapore and 15 days in South Africa on holiday recently. But after spending a night drinking whiskey with some of the "Durban" crew would have moved it up to first. What a hangover and having to drive home the next day UGH.
Susan Turpin
Gillian Tewson - GP
It was a typical depressing February weekday and so, when my eye was caught by a Clipper poster of enthusiastic people, sailing a beautiful yacht under blue skies in a Round the World Race, on a whim I applied to join! A few months and many experiences later, as I clung onto the wheel entering Rotterdam harbour in a Force 10 gale, trying not to let the next enormous wave sweep away Ricky and the crew on the foredeck, I briefly wondered what I had signed up for. However the overwhelming emotion was of exhilaration, and pride in being part of the Durban 2010 crew, whose positive outlook has certainly lived up to the promise, as has the boat, although I am still awaiting the blue sky!
As 2008 is the 10 year anniversary of having had breast cancer, I decided to combine my adventure with raising money for research to help other women be as fortunate as me. So I am currently organising a fundraising party for 50 friends and an appeal for Breakthrough Breast Cancer via the website: www.bmycharity.com/gilliantewson
Personal Website : gilltewson.vox.com
Patricia Storbeck
I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in November 2005. After an unsuccessful operation I spent the next year of my life going through chemotherapy and radiation treatment, leaving me weak, bald and barely alive. But I survived. Then in January 2007 my daughter, Helen (15) died in a car accident. That was when I decided – LIFE IS TOO SHORT. I can either give up and feel sorry for myself or start living. We sold our beautiful new house in the city and moved to a little town by the sea, called Hermanus. The ocean healed me. I saw an article about the Clipper race in June 2007 and emailed David immediately. This was the challenge I was looking for. I wanted to know what my limits are and I reckon the only place to really find them is on the ocean. Not many people get to sail through the Panama Channel and I have never been to the Caribbean and that is why I chose Leg 6. My husband will join us there and we plan to cruise for a few months around the islands.
Pieter Storbeck
I always wanted to sail since I was little. I build my first radio controlled sailing yacht when I was six. When we moved to Hermanus, I found a sailing school, Ocean Sailing Academy, in Cape Town. There I started RYA sailing courses and I'm currently completing my Coastal Skipper course. I am going to sail with my mom, Patricia on Leg 6.
I love the ocean and want to be a skipper on a super yacht. After I finish school next year I plan to complete my RYA Yachtmaster Ocean course at UKSA in Cowes.