Clipper Race crew on the Rolex Fastnet Race Start Line

Clipper Race crew are aboard the Clipper Events entry CV7 competing in the 2015 Rolex Fastnet Race which gets underway at 1100 UTC (1200 BST) today with a record-sized fleet of 370 teams in the Royal Ocean Racing Club's biennial 600 mile flagship event.

Aboard the Clipper 68 are crew from New Zealand, Australia, United States and the UK. Clipper 2013-14 Race competitor Sang Cho, a 32 year-old South Korean who now lives in New Zealand, is believed to be the first South Korean to compete in the Fastnet.

Ahead of today’s race Sang says: “Sailing and not being able to see land is something I miss and I can’t wait to be back at sea. I am humbled to be able to take part in the classic Fastnet Race today, it’s the Holy Grail of Blue Ocean racing and to be the first to represent South Korea is a huge honour.

“I hope my participation will encourage more Korean Sailors to take part in the future and hopefully raise the profile of sailing as a sport in Korea.”

Sang was the first South Korean to take part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in 2013-14. Joining him are crew with a variety of sailing experience, from complete novices who have never sailed before to current and former participants of the Clipper Race, some with over 40,000 nautical miles of ocean racing under their belts.

In another Korean link, seasoned sailor, 54 year-old Retired Special Education Teacher, Jackie Patton from Donaghadee, NI, was a contender to represent Great Britain in the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. She is now a member of the GREAT Britain team which will take part in the Clipper 2015-16 Race, She will compete in the final two legs racing from Seattle around the US Coast to Coast and back to London.

Jackie says: “I was inspired to take part in the Fastnet Race, as a boost to my race training experience ahead of my Clipper Race next year. I am feeling excited about participating in this iconic event today with such a competitive fleet, where professionals and amateurs are in the same race. Many sailors can only dream of what we are about to do.We have had some great practice sessions and are as ready as we can be.I hope to achieve a sense of a personal satisfaction and accomplishment.”

The whole Clipper 2015-16 Race fleet will compete in the Southern Hemisphere’s counterpart to the Fastnet, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. It will be the fifth race in the 14-race global series which comprises the Tenth edition of our unique biennial challenge.

Clipper Race founder, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston says: “The Rolex Fastnet Race is a challenging race and is great preparation experience for those taking part in this year’s Clipper Race. Most of the crew on board are experienced in racing long distances and through tough weather conditions, and I hope to see the Clipper 68 lead the charge and sail safe and fast against its competitors. I wish Sang, Jackie and the crew fair winds and will be watching their progress.”

If you would like to discover more about the opportunity to compete aboard the Clipper Race fleet click here.