Future Crew Catch Up – Trent Bulgin

This week, the final Level 1 training course of the year came to an end in the UK. We met up with Aussie Trent Bulgin to find out how he got as the last crew to brave the cold Solent this winter!

Name: Trent Bulgin
Age: 40
Lives: London, UK
Occupation: Banking
Signed up for: Clipper 2015-16, Legs 6 and 7

What led you to sign up for the race?
I was on a leadership management course four years ago and they mentioned the Clipper Race and all the different management techniques the skippers use. I thought it was really interesting but I didn’t look into the race any further. Living in London I have seen the posters on the tube everywhere recently and then found myself on the website one night. I thought to myself just go ahead and do it, so pushed the button and applied!

Why did you choose Leg 6 and 7?
I want to be able to say that I sailed across the Pacific and also down through the Panama Canal.

How have you found your first level of training?
It was great. It was really interesting that at the start of the week we were doing everything by ourselves and learning individually, but after only a couple of hours we started doing things together and bonded as a team. I am a bit sore, sitting behind a desk verses lugging sails around is a bit different!

What has been the most challenging thing so far?
When we were sailing and we took down the Yankee 1 and put the Yankee 2 up there were sails everywhere. It was cold and we were sitting there with our hands on the sails really tired, but we pushed through to get the job done. After that we had a cup of tea and I felt fine again.

What has been the highlight so far?
I got on this boat six days ago, you look around and there are ropes everywhere and you wonder what on earth it all is, then only a few days in I was walking around naming all the parts of the boat. I haven’t booked my Level 2 yet but I would like to do it soon, just as soon as it gets a little warmer!

What are you most looking forward to on the race?
This is going to sound strange but for me it’s finishing. The satisfaction of it, being a non-sailor I’m doing the race for the challenge and achievement of having done it.