Before being able to start the Clipper Race, each participant has to complete four levels of sail training at the home harbour of the Clipper yachts - Gosport, UK (or in Sydney for my colleagues down under). Due to my last semester at Maastricht University, I had to spread the four training weeks in Gosport over the last half year.
These four weeks are a core element of the race, as each participant, whether new to sailing or experienced, is introduced to the Clipper 70-foot yachts and is made familiar with the processes on board. Besides the setting and trimming of sails, we also learnt how to act safely in challenging conditions and how to react in any kind of emergency, including man over board, fire, flooding, sinking, etc.
Here is a short overview of the trainings:
Level 1:
Crew skills: be a safe and competent sailor also while being wet, cold and exhausted
Level 2:
Offshore sailing and life on board – 6 days at sea (day and night) and experience the life at 45 degrees angle (including RYA sea survival course)
Level 3:
Asymmetric spinnaker training and race techniques – more technical, more demanding and more physical (including ISAF theory day)
Level 4:
Team tactics and offshore fleet racing – practice race starts, build your team and get to know your skipper as well as teammates
After having completed all training levels, I can honestly say that I feel well prepared for the 11 months ahead of my team and me. We will definitely face all kinds of conditions throughout the race, but I am confident that we will be able to handle them with calm and professionalism.
Find the latest news and other insights around Henrik in Action in further
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