A Whitehaven man will help lead a team around the globe in the next Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
Sailor Ben Birley has been named as first mate in the 40,000-nautical mile race, which will get underway from Portsmouth on August 31.
A former Royal Marine, Ben has since carved a career at sea and amassed a sailing portfolio including two North Atlantic crossings, one Southern Ocean crossing, numerous cruises to France and Northern Spain, the Norwegian Fjords, dinghy racing in Plymouth, two Round the Island Races and plenty of Clipper Race Training courses.
Ben said: “It is a special and unique opportunity to be first mate on the powerful and capable Clipper 70′ yachts.
“This job will allow me to take the leap from cruising into full-time ocean racing. I hope to advance my sailing and leadership skills, build a solid and competitive team and experience the awe and wonder of the world’s oceans.”
The Clipper Race trains people from all walks of life to become ocean racers and take on the endurance challenge of a lifetime. Each of the teams is led by a professional race skipper and first mate.
The first mate role offers invaluable experience to further develop a professional sailing career. The highly skilled sailors will work closely with their skipper, using their sailing experience and supporting the goals of their appointed team. They will not only work towards gaining those all-important places on the podium, but apply their knowledge to help create a competent, safe and competitive race team.
No stranger to the Clipper Race, Ben is returning full-time after getting a taste during the previous race, where he supported as first mate on Washington, DC for one of the eight legs.
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race was founded by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston in March 1995 and trains people from all walks of life to learn seamanship and become ocean racers.
Each participant must complete four stages of intensive training before signing up for one or multiple legs or can complete the full 40,000 nautical mile circumnavigation.
The 10-strong fleet of matched Clipper 70 ocean racing yachts make six ocean crossings – including the North Pacific and the Clipper Race is the only round the world yacht race to cross this ocean.
The race will make 14 ports of call on its global route, with Portsmouth, Cape Town, Qingdao in China, Tongyeong City in Korea, Seattle and Oban announced so far.
