Meet the Race 2 crew: Felipe Urrutia

For the first time in the race’s history, two Colombians will take part in the tenth edition race this year. Business owner Felipe Urrutia from Bogota is one of them and is currently in Rio preparing to take part in the first of three races he has signed up for.

Other than his passion for the sea, Felipe speaks English, French, Spanish and Italian. He is an advanced scuba diver and dreams of retiring and buying a boat to circumnavigate the world.

Name: Felipe Urrutia
Age: 61
Nationality: Columbian
Occupation: Rose Grower
Team: Da Nang – Viet Nam
Signed up for: Leg 2, 6 and 8

How did you hear about the Clipper Race?
I read about the race when a sailing magazine reported on 2013-14 race crew member Andrew Taylor’s MOB incident. I have been sailing (mainly chartering all over once or twice a year) for the last 35 years and dreamed or circumnavigating, but was getting older. So I decided this was my chance to cross oceans.

Why did you chose Leg 2, 6 and 8?
I chose the legs that best fitted my work schedule.

Have you ever done anything like this before?
The nearest thing I have done was signing for a training boat called Mahina Tiare for a training-cruise from New Zealand to Tahiti.

What has been the highlight of your race experience so far?
I have enjoyed meeting such a variety of wonderful people of all genders, nationalities and with every possible lifestyle.

What has been the most challenging part of your race experience so far?
The most challenging has been the Spartan life aboard.

What do your family and friends think about you doing the race?
My family and friends all feel it’s great and have a lot of admiration without any envy whatsoever.

What are you most looking forward to when you arrive in Rio to join your race?
Upon arriving Rio, I most look forward to meet the friends I already have and those that I will make on the leg.

What do you think will be the most challenging?
I foresee two great challenges, first of course crossing an ocean, and second being disconnected from my present life at so many levels.

What do you hope to achieve?
I hope to cross an important line off my bucket list and to put so many aspects in a new perspective. My goal on the boat is to add all I can to the efforts of the team while having fun.

Want to join Felipe? We are now recruiting for the 2017-18 edition. To discover more visit the apply section here.