Meet the Crew: Lucas Radev Roig

Meet Lucas Radev Roig, an 18-year-old student from Barcelona set to take on a circumnavigation of the globe on the next Clipper Race edition.

Lucas, who is currently studying marine biology in Surrey, has wanted to sail around the world to follow in the footsteps of his heroes Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Bernard Moitessier, and to feel nature at its rawest. We chatted to him after he’d completed his first two levels of Clipper Race Training as well as the Knox-Johnston Cup, a Clipper Events iconic race that saw the Clipper Race fleet of Clipper 68s and 70s race around the Isle of Wight this September.

Tell us why you chose the Clipper Race:

I’m doing the full circumnavigation. I was reading a book called A Voyage for Mad Men and Robin Sir Knox-Johnston was in in the Golden Globe Race, and at the end of the book it started talking a bit about the Clipper Race. I started researching it and it just fit perfectly with my personality because I love sailing, it's my passion.

Image: Lucas on the Knox-Johnston Cup 2024 in some challenging conditions

Have you sailed before?

I started sailing at 16 just by pure chance because nobody in my family has ever had anything to do with boats. I started doing a bit of dinghy sailing and a bit of cruising and it just struck a chord with me, and I wanted to do it again and again and again and again. Through that I discovered my love for the ocean and all the beautiful things that are in there.

How do you feel about racing across the oceans?

Obviously, the race is very different to dinghy sailing. We’ve definitely had a little taste of that on our Level 2, but I’m even more excited. I absolutely love that kind of challenge. It's jaw-dropping just to think 30 days of that, and then again and again.

How did your Level 1 compare to your Level 2 training?

It was really cool because we got to sail trim a lot more than in Level 1, which really was a joy. And Harry and Ollie did a great job at teaching us some race tactics.

And what about your team, how has it been sailing with lots of fellow Race Crew?

I've loved and I totally get along with all of my teammates, it's been such a pleasure to be with them.

Are you an adventurous person?

Yeah, I think I would like to say that. I just really like pushing myself and finding my limits, that's what I love.

Image: Lucas at Clipper Race training

Is this the biggest adventure that you've taken on so far in your life?

Definitely, definitely, definitely. I am in that circle of always trying to top the last thing I did. I did my STCW and my Yachtmaster qualification, and then I thought, what can top that? And here we are!

Want to join Lucas and hundreds of other crew taking on the race of their lives? Applications are open for the 2025-26 and 2027-28 editions are open.