You are doing WHAT....

Soon after my 50th birthday in 2006 I had the following conversation with a friend:

Friend: So Ian now that you have turned 50 you can reveal to me what you did for your mid-life-crisis.

Ian: I didn't know that I was supposed to have a mid-life-crisis.

Friend: Of course everyone has one around turning 40.

Ian: Is it too late to have one now that I am 50?

Friend: Probably not but it has to be something special.

Ian: OK I will see what I can come up with.

Hence the heading of the title when one evening over dinner I revealed to my family that I had signed up to participate in the Clipper Round the World Race.

In June 2006 I completed my Part A training in Gosport (near Portsmouth) on one of the old Clipper yachts (= sailboat in American) that was used in their first 4 races. I have clarified the word yacht for my American friends lest they believe that I will be on a luxury cruise around the world. The yachts are comfortable but far from luxurious. Part A training is really a test to ensure that we know what we are letting ourselves into. I was absolutely exhausted at the end of the 7 days but more determined that this is what I need to give me a break in my career.




These two photos show me at the top of the mast and then looking down. When I returned to the deck my two exhausted crew mates who had to haul me up looked at me and said that was probably the first and last time I will be visiting the top of the mast.

My Part B training took place in March 2007 and when I climbed on deck it started snowing. Fortunately I was a little better prepared this time and had ample warm clothing. With the snow on the first day, gale force winds the second and mountainous seas I now had a better idea of what to expect during the race.

I should mention my crew mates from the two training sessions as I would be more than happy to be on the same boat with any one of them. They ranged from ages 17 to early 60's and were just a great bunch of like-minded people.



On June 30 we will find out which yacht we will be on and who our crew mates will be. Then at the beginning of August I return to England for my final training session and the preparation of the boat prior to the race which starts from Liverpool on September 16.

The link below is the Clipper website. When the race starts you will be able to track the positions of the 10 yachts as we will report in every 12 hours.


www.clipper-ventures.com