CLIPPER - The Round The World Yacht Race 07-08 - New Site Coming Soon!

CLIPPER - The Round The World Yacht Race 07-08 - New Site Coming Soon!

If you would like to sponsor me, I have set up an account that will allow any contributions to be paid directly to my personal 07/08 round the world fund. The details of this account are;

Name: Mr K B Howard Sort Code: 070116

Account Number: 06380783

All contributions will be graciously received. Thank you to everyone who has offered me support in undertaking this adventure.

Sincerely .... Keith

The Clipper 07/08 RTW yacht race ..... My experiences

I applied to be accepted as crew for the Clipper 07/08 round the world yacht race at the end of 2006 and am delighted to have been offered a place. I am determined to make the most of what is billed as 'Ordinary People Doing Extraordinary Things'.

I know this will truly be the trip of a lifetime and I am committed to giving my all during each training session and throughout the entire race. I am working hard to ensure my physical fitness is as good as I can achieve and mentally I am fully focused for the challenges ahead.

I completed the Part A training between the 2nd and 23rd February 2007 on the 60 foot yacht, Aeriel Clipper.

The skipper for the week was Justin, the mate was Jan and my fellow crew were, Simon, Sean, Richie, Yasoo, Mandy, Steph, Camilla, Neris and Linda (who decided it wasn't for her).

We had a fantastic week with a mixed bag of weather. We carried out a variety of exercises and evolutions in and around the Solent and South Channel. We were having a rather uncomfortable trip one evening with a force 5 gusting 6 on a beam sea. It was the beam sea that led to a very uncomfortable motion which resulted in a number of the team being laid up sea sick. We retreated to Weymouth for the night and once tied up everybody recovered and recounted the experience.

We packed a lot into a week that involved competing with another Clipper Yacht that was also on Part A, including fastest headsail changes and a race round the cans ..... not saying who won :-)

I'm really looking forward to Part B training, 29th April to 6th May. I have purchased a range of equipment for the race, some from Henri Lloyd as recommended and am wondering if the Ocean Sleepwear sleeping bag is it worth the expense?

I have been busy reading up on all sorts of sailing techniques etc., however, there is no substitute for actually being on the water. There are a couple of sailing weekends coming up but unfortunately due to work commitments I have been unable to take part in any of the delivery trips so far.

As part of the requirement for the foundation degree, I have completed and submitted to Falmouth Marine School the first assignments following Part A training and am awaitng feedback and results.

I am also on the reserve list and hoping to get a place for the "Round The Island" race.

I have prepared a pack to hopefully attract some private sponsorship and have also registered with "Just Giving" for pledges to The Philip Green Memorial Tust ......www.justgiving.com/keithhoward . I would really appreciate any donations to either my personal campaign and/or The Philip Green Memorial Trust.

The Part C training dates are ..... 20th to 27th July (The Wilberforce Race), 13th to 18th August and 2nd - 8th September (delivery to Liverpool).

I am also looking forward to the crew allocation on 30th June, I don't mind which yacht I am on as long as it's the winner........