My name is Caitlin Lisle, and in 2017 I will be joining the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race as a Leg 1 Crew Member.
You might naturally assume that taking on such an extreme challenge means that I'm already a competent sailor, but you'd assume wrong. I am a complete novice. Before starting to train for the Clipper Race, the closest I'd ever come to sailing a boat was rowing on a lake - not quite the same as being part of a 23 strong crew wrestling a 70ft ocean yacht through some of the most extreme weather and ocean conditions in the world.
Taking part in the Clipper Race 17-18 will subject me to bone-numbing cold, waves taller than houses, hot, energy-sapping temperatures, and the frustration of being becalmed. The Clipper Race tests your physical and mental strength in extreme conditions, when you’re sleep deprived, too hot, too cold, sore all over and cannot take a break. Fear not though, thanks to the world-class pioneering Clipper training programme, I am training hard to learn all the skills I need to succeed. This is no holiday - more people have climbed Mount Everest than have sailed around the world.
As I'm getting my sea legs and preparing to join the race I'll also be hosting various fundraising events to raise money for British Red Cross - it'll be tough at sea during the Race but it'll be worth it knowing that every drenching I get will be helping raise money for such an amazing cause and inspiring my community.
Taking part in the Clipper Race to me represents a wealth of opportunity to test myself to the limits (and find out where those limits are), learn new skills, and also to explore the world in a truly unique and exciting way. Taking part in the Clipper Race is also a chance for me to be part of something bigger than myself – part of a team, working to support the invaluable work of British Red Cross and Official Race Charity UNICEF, and inspiring others in my community to push themselves to take on new and exciting challenges every day.
Born: 17 January 1991, Tunbridge Wells, UK
Day job: Textbook Development Editor at Cambridge University Press
Favourite pastimes: Thru-hiking, baking and going to the theatre
Favourite quote: "Everything is possible, it's simply a matter of being able to do them" (Anon.)
Favourite animal: Penguins
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