​2025: The Race of Your Life starts here

It's 2025, and for Clipper Race crew sailing on the upcoming edition: a once in a lifetime adventure is getting even closer. The Clipper 2025-26 Race gets underway this summer, with hundreds of people from all corners of the globe set to tackle the world’s oceans and embark on the Race of Their Lives.

We spoke to some of these upcoming adventurers getting ready to take on this challenge and asked why they chose to do this, and how they are preparing to become ocean racers.

Natasha Nicholson

Age: 42

Profession: Quality Document Controller

From: British, born in Sarajevo

Legs: Circumnavigator

My main reason for doing the Clipper Race is that I wanted an adventure I would never forget. To achieve circumnavigating the world, something I thought was impossible, but was actually possible, really appealed to me. It was a test of endurance I could not resist. For me this is so much more than a race. It is testing myself and building my confidence. It will very much be a personal odyssey whilst having the ultimate adventure of a lifetime!

My other reason for doing this is that I want to raise money for Cancer Research in memory of my mum and for my dad who introduced me to sailing. I lost my mum to cancer in June 2022. I had been her carer for over two years, and it's been the toughest two years of my life emotionally and physically.

Image: Natasha as a spectator of the Clipper 2023-24 Race Finish, seeing the boats return to Portsmouth

I started sailing with a family friend soon after mum's funeral and realised how much I'd missed it and rediscovered my love for it. I came across the Clipper Race at my lowest point, but it did something magical to me. It reignited something within me. I rediscovered my love of sailing and I am slowly finding my old self that I hope the rest of the race will give me back.

If you had asked me to do this five years ago, I would have laughed at you. But I've seen the fragility of life and sometimes you just have to go for it. My father always used to say to me "if it doesn't scare you, don't bother, but if it scares the hell out of you, then do it". So here I am doing Clipper Round the World Yacht race.

I want to experience Mother Nature at her worst and at its most majestic. I've heard stories from previous crew and want to experience it for myself and see what it's really all about. Until you have experienced it yourself you will never understand its capabilities and you as an individual. To experience things most people don't get the chance to see is quite something.

Marie van den Broek

Age: 26

Profession: Electromechanical Engineer

From: Belgium

Legs: 1-4

When I was younger, I learned some sailing during summer camps. After the last camp I did (nine years ago), I wondered what it would feel like to sail around the world, believing that would be an impossible dream. Until I read about the Clipper Race on Facebook two years ago. Back then it looked so far away, but now it is coming around so fast.

Image: Marie during Clipper Race Training

I'm really looking forward to learning a lot. To be there on the oceans, feel the boat go with the waves and the wind, and be surrounded by like-minded people. Also, I know I will learn a lot about myself as well. Another thing, I've never left Europe before so I'm excited to go to other continents and the other side of the world by yacht- something not many people get to do.

Brad Smith

Age: 56

Profession: Management Consultant

From: Quebec, Canada

Leg: 6

Why did I sign up? While there is a longer answer, the simple one is to continue to expand my comfort zone, learn and experience the wonders of nature with a team, in places only the Clipper Race could take me.

Training has been so helpful to preparation on many fronts. From those lessons, I am focusing on four things to continue my preparation. The first is to continually expand my comfort zone! I had forgotten how important this is. Doing "hard things" actually rewires the brain to reduce perceived challenge. Simply answering the bell each morning to hit the trail rain/snow/shine and do the little things each day will help with life on the boat and help me be the best teammate I can be. Second, of course, is balance, core and pull strength. These will ensure durability and resilience. Third is practicing knots and studying the evolutions with our wet notes. With a few months between training sessions and then Leg 6, these will have to remain sharp.

And lastly, testing a cracking bread recipe! Filling the boat with warm hearty smells and flavours is sure to keep morale high!

Tim Telkamp

Age: 60

Profession: Engineering Manager

From: USA

Legs: Circumnavigator

I am most looking forward to meeting the crew and Skipper I will be sailing with and of course slipping lines and watching the coastline dip below the horizon.

I signed up to circumnavigate with a goal to find out what I am capable of, by sailing with a team below the equator to round the Cape of Storms and racing in the Southern Indian Ocean. In the words of the late US President John F. Kennedy: "Because that goal will serve to measure the best of our energies and skills"

Sarah Puntan-Galea

Age: 51

Profession: Conservation Charity Director

From: Malta, living in Wales

Leg: 8

Preparation: I am going to the gym as much as possible, including weight sessions with a personal trainer to increase the strength needed for sailing. Plus, I’m upping my cardio with swimming and longer dog walks (which is making my dog Digby very happy!). I will also focus on healthier eating after Christmas and will read my Training Manual in advance of Level 2 and 3 Training, as well as various online guides.

Image: Sarah, with her Training instructors and fellow crew during Level 1

I signed up as my 50th birthday present to myself: a challenge to push myself out of my comfort zone and prove I can still do extreme sports after a hip replacement. Plus, it is something to look forward to after studying for an MBA! I also wanted to be the first Maltese female to cross the Atlantic on the Clipper Race - and hopefully I will be!!!

Image: Sarah during Clipper Race Training

Jimmy Johnson

Age: 57

Profession: Healthcare Professional

From: Las Vegas, USA

Legs: Circumnavigator

I'm most looking forward to the experience of adventure, the challenging nature that comes with an endeavour as exquisite as this one, as well as building relationships and working together with people as a team to succeed.

The memories created and bonds made will fill stories and establish friendships for a lifetime. I signed up because it is my nature to seek out and experience ways in which to fully embrace life and see all the beauty and marvel of a world few ever get to see, and I hope to share these experiences as a way to inspire others to find their passion in life.

Andre Martecchini

Age: 69

Profession: Civil Engineering Consultant

From: Boston, USA

Leg: 3

What drew me to the Clipper Race was the opportunity to participate in a much longer race on a much faster boat. I chose Leg 3 because I want to challenge myself and experience the thrill of big seas, strong winds and high speeds, something that I haven’t experienced before. The first two training courses were everything I thought they would be, including up to 40 knots of wind!

Image: Andre on the helm

One of the best things so far has been the camaraderie of the crew – from nine countries ranging in age from the 20s to 60s and from all walks of life and sailing experience. I can’t wait for Crew Allocation, Level 3 and 4 Training in May and June and then the actual race in November! I know the experience will be one of the greatest highlights of my life!

Will Smith

Age: 49

Profession: Ropes Access Technician

From: Newfoundland, Canada

Leg: 6

I am a proud single father who has raised (and is still raising) seven incredible kids. I’ll be joining for Leg 6 of this amazing journey.

Sailing has always been a dream of mine, but life’s responsibilities didn’t leave much room for it—until now. When I saw this adventure pop up on Facebook, I didn’t hesitate. Crossing the mighty Pacific felt like the ultimate challenge, and I wanted to show my kids that if you’re passionate about something, you have to take the leap and make it happen.

In terms of extra training, I don’t have a set plan. I’m in the gym about 25 times a month and work as a professional climber, so I feel ready physically. My main focus now is diving into the sailing lingo and learning the ropes (literally!).

I’m beyond excited to start this adventure and be part of the Clipper Race. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me.

Image: Will Smith and his Clipper Race Training yacht

Olivier Roy

Age: 47

Profession: Nurse

From: Quebec, Canada

Legs: Circumnavigator

I’m looking forward to meeting crew like me who are determined to have the race of their lives!

I signed up to face new kinds of physical and mental limits by racing in the harshest seas on the planet, can’t wait. I’m preparing for the adventure by training my legs, core and shoulders.

Neil Edwards

Age: 54

Profession: Founder and CEO

From: USA and the Bahamas

Legs: 1, 6 and 7

I am looking forward to the celebratory experience of casting off on an epic ocean race and heading for the horizon. It's childhood dream-making, world-work, spiritual work, and an extraordinary challenge packaged in an experience that will bring me into relationship with the like never before.

To prepare, I am transforming my eating in earth-friendly ways, resistance training, running, biking, spiritual practice with shamanic energy medicine, sailing on San Francisco Bay and the California coast, relationship preparation with my wife and children, and inviting a community of virtual crew to support me.

Kerry Beamer

Age: 51

Profession: Public Employee

From: Ohio, USA

Legs: Circumnavigator

I am most looking towards the adventure and competition of ocean racing and forming friendships with fellow crew from all over the world and watching us become a team. My reason why is that I have never done anything extraordinary living in the Midwest… so I figured why not! I’m not getting any younger

Feeling inspired by these reasons to race? Places are available to compete on the 2025-26 edition, which gets underway in summer 2025, and also the Clipper 2027-28 Race if you need more time to plan and prepare. Find out more about this extraordinary challenge click here and or request an information pack.