I stumbled across the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race 2 years ago.  I wasn’t a sailor and didn’t realise I was looking for a new Challenge. 

However I had just finally got back to myself following 3 years of intense treatment in 2 separate double blind medical trials, both of which it turned out I was on the active medication though the first trial proved unsuccessful, the second thankfully was a success and cured me of the Hepatitis C which I had contracted as toddler during treatment for my Haemophilia. 

With few memories and even fewer I wished to recall from this period I felt I had lost 3 years of my life, coupled with now being in my late 30s I also felt life was rapidly passing me by. 

This suddenly seemed like a great way to give my life some direction and whilst it was a mammoth challenge I already knew I can push myself to extreme lengths having undertaken the medical trials.  This though, would be a challenge I wanted to talk about.  I could think of a hundred excuses not to do it but not one real reason. 

That was 2 years ago. Having signed up in October 2013 I have now completed all 4 levels of training, a month at sea.  It has already proved an amazing and intense experience where I have encountered knockdowns, sailed within close proximity of a small tornado, pushed through gale force 10 winds, assisted a helicopter medical evacuation from my yacht, met hundreds of amazing people including some sure to be life long friends and my lovely Girlfriend. 

Recently we were allocated to one of the 12 teams and I found that I was to have the honour of representing Unicef in this great race.  I am very proud to wear the Unicef colours and sail on the Unicef branded yacht.  This is an incredible charity which strives to protect every child in danger around the world.  Please take a look at their website to see more of what they do.  Born out of the UN they are a children’s charity but receive no UN funds.

My Race:

Following discussions between Clipper and my Haemophilia consultants several years ago, it was agreed that I can compete but not on my chosen Leg, the Southern Ocean crossing.  I had wanted to do this leg as I was only ever going to be able to do a single leg and I wanted to be humbled by the true power of nature.  The very high casualty rate on this crossing and its extreme remoteness though were too much of an ask.

Instead I opted for Leg 4, this still gets me into the southern Ocean, in fact we go even further south than on any other point of the race but this is just for a week or so and is not quite as remote as the previous Leg.  I also get the huge honour and great thrill of competing in the classic Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

The Race started in London on the 30^th August 2015, I will fly out to join my team in Albany western Australia at the end of November to begin my 5,000 mile race and 28 days at sea.

Click here for the lowdown on the yacht I will be racing

Thank you for taking the time to read through my story.  I greatly appreciate any donation to Unicef that you wish to make.  Please also take a quick look at what Unicef do, this race partnership for them is as much about raising awareness of their work as it is about raising funds.

Ben