Jersey Clipper

Anna Kastanias (35) was born in Singapore and now lives in Plymouth. She has a degree in Graphic Design and has worked in a variety of roles within the photographic field as well as TEFL teaching in both Hong Kong and Rome. After a recent stint as a Deaf awareness trainer for the RNID, she is turning back to photography.

 

She grew up near the River Dart where she used to sail a Laser, then she transferred to racing Dart18s and Hobie16s whilst in Hong Kong and Rome. Seven years ago she crewed on a Challenge yacht in a race from Cape Town to St Helena Island. She also gained her Day Skipper theory and practical in the same year.

 

After her husband lost his battle with cancer last November, she went to Singapore where she met her friend Kelly Johns who was crewing on Jersey for Leg 4. ‘I needed very little persuasion to take part and I’m very much looking forward to joining Jersey for Legs 6 & 7. It’ll be an amazing experience, sometimes scary but with many highlights especially going through the Panama Canal’ she said.

Bernard Druckes (56) was born in Guernsey but lived for the first 19 years of his life in Germany.  He is married with 2 children - a son and daughter both 18 years old. 

 

Bernie was trained in engineering but for 25 years has been growing tomatoes.  He now manages the Guernsey growers' co-op.

 

Bernie's other interests include playing squash, skiing and windsurfing.

 

"I have always loved the sea, and always wanted to sail around the world but I never thought I'd get a chance.  This way I get to race against 9 other boats!  I am delighted to be part of the Jersey crew for this big adventure and I hope I'll make a positive contribution to the team.  I can't wait!" he said.

 

Bernie is on board for the whole race as a round-the-worlder.

Brent Barnett (59) is a company director from Lone Hill, South Africa. Brent sailed on Glasgow Clipper on leg 6 but jumped ship in Jamaica, joining Jersey for leg 7.

Christopher Mackenzie (60) is English by birth but lived in Australia for many years.  Until 1992 he worked there in media as company secretary for Consolidated Press Holdings Ltd (the Packer Group).  He then returned to England to be company secretary at BSKYB (the Murdoch group).  In 1997 he took a year off to walk in South America.  He is now a director at Bruce Dunlop Associates - a global advertising and promotion production company.  (The founder Bruce Dunlop has signed up to sail for a leg on Singapore Clipper).

 

Chris has limited sailing experience and he's new to racing. 

 

He'll be on board for leg 4.

Christopher Swift (28) is originally from a small village in Lancashire but now lives in Guernsey.

 

After studying Electronic Engineering with Communications at Oxford Brookes University, Christopher joined the BBC in the North of England. He then moved to BBC Projects converting the Local Radio Network from analogue to digital.

 

Christopher enjoys travelling and spent 8 months exploring India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia where he proposed to his girlfriend on top of a volcano wearing socks and sandals (he's an Englishman to the core!!!).  In Australia he learnt to play the didgeridoo, but he's promised to leave his at home for the race!

 

After travelling, he returned home to work at Pebble Mill, bought a house and got married. Sadly Christopher's wife died of a brain tumour in 2003 and he has since become involved in fund raising for the Clatterbridge Hospital Cancer Campaign, together with his mother-in-law.
 
In July 2004 Christopher took over as the Senior Broadcast Engineer at BBC Guernsey. "I work with a fantastic team and live in arguably one of the most picturesque places in the British Isles" he said.
 
Like many others on the Jersey Clipper crew, Christopher started out with limited sailing experience; he's sailed on tall ships and in dinghies. Signing up for the Clipper race is the first time he's been on a 'serious' yacht!

 

Christopher is on board for legs 2,3 and 4.  "I cannot wait to get out to Brazil, do a little exploring and join the crew for the voyages to Africa, Australia, Singapore and China" he said.

 

Crispin Rolfe (still not 30!) wasn't born in Guernsey, and denies all connections to the Channel Islands apart from living and working there for the last eight years(!). Technically he still supports Guernsey in the annual football derby, and could yet be seen bellowing out it's national anthem at the startline.

 

When not being artificially patriotic, Crispin produces BBC Spotlight Channel Islands from a studio in Jersey. With absolutely no knowledge of sailing and a hurd deep-esque curve of learning, he decided it was time to find his sea legs - albeit with video camera in hand. Crispin will be filming and crewing the first leg... Although he's already been told the crew will throw his camera over the side if privacy is compromised!!!

David Agnès (53) is Jersey-born and educated. He is married to Sue and they have three children Laurence (21), Felicity (19) and Charlotte (17).

 

He studied Mining Engineering at Imperial College, London and then worked in Botswana for a couple of years before returning overland through Africa to Jersey. He took a ‘temporary’ job in retail - whilst deciding where else to go mining - and is still there and enjoying it! He and his wife now own their own perfume and cosmetic business.

 

David has no recent sailing experience, and very little non-recent experience, only having crewed on a couple of local cruisers over twenty years ago. However he has always enjoyed being in, on or around the sea. He also enjoys walking, gardening, DIY and sport – now mainly watching!

 

David enjoys travelling and likes a challenge, both physical and mental and is looking forward to taking part in the Clipper race, the ideal combination of both. He is doing Leg 2 from Brazil to South Africa and is eagerly awaiting training.

Fiona Heyland (43) is originally from Hertfordshire, but has lived for many years in Australia returning to the UK in the early 1990's. She now lives in South East London.

Fiona has always been adventurous and has travelled extensively, circumnavigating the world 3 times (over land). A keen scuba diver, in recent years she's also learnt to surf.

"Although my mother was a very keen sailor and I can remember sitting in the bottom of numerous racing dinghies as a very small child, my first real experience of sailing a boat was after signing up for the Clipper race" she said.

"Although I have no previous links with the island, I am proud to be sailing on the Jersey boat. I also feel very privileged, as a novice sailor, to have a skipper of the calibre of Mark Taylor to lead the team."

Fiona is doing legs 6 and 7, and hopes to make a valuable contribution to the team and will be very much looking forward to being on the Jersey boat when it arrives in its home port.

Héloïse Le Norcy (30) is French. Born in Paris she spent most of her childhood in Normandy and after studing International Affairs in Paris, has been living in Cheltenham in the Cotswolds for the past 5 years.

 

She currently works for Kraft Foods as a senior brand manager in the confectionery marketing department, “which is most of my friends' idea of a dream job, looking after creating new chocolate brands for a living and I am very grateful to Kraft for giving me a sabbatical to enable me to take part in the race” she says.

 

Héloïse’s sailing experience before Clipper training was minimal, mostly leisurely sailing on holidays with friends, and she found training on the Clipper boat an amazing but definitiately challenging experience!

 

“Coming from Brittany and Normandy, I am absolutely delighted to be on the Jersey boat as it is very close to home. One of my dreams growing up was to sail around the world, especially to Asia, but I always thought that it was something impossible for an inexperienced sailor like myself" she said.

"Taking part in legs 4, 5, 6 and 7 I can’t wait to join the crew in Australia even though crossing the North Pacific is really daunting, but I am sure it will be a difficult but invaluable experience!”

 

Travelling is one of Héloïse’s passions. Having widely travelled across the world and lived and worked in various countries, meeting an wide mix of people and experiencing a diverse range of cultures was an key attraction of the race.

 

Héloïse’s interests include horse riding, reading and SCUBA diving.  She is always keen to experience new things from wing walking to canyoning, and she's looking forward to trying sky diving in Australia!

Hugh Gregory (54) has been married to Linda for 33 years and has two sons Mark (27), Michael (22) and a daughter Sarah (26).

 

A Chartered Civil Engineer, he spent much of his early working life abroad in Italy, Nigeria, Middle East and Belize.

 

16 years ago he started his own company specialising in telecommunications structures and now that the youngest of his babies is nearly grown up needs a new challenge.

 

Hugh has limited sailing experience gained mainly in the Solent. He is looking forward to the whole experience as a mental and physical challenge and has signed up for the whole round-the-world race.

 

J.P. Nicolle (37) is a chartered accountant living in Guernsey and working for the Italian insurer, Assicurazioni Generali.  This is something of a career change from his earlier engineering career with the Ministry of Defence. 

 

J-P sailed dinghies and catamarans during his school and university years and has crewed on various yachts over the last ten years, mostly doing round-the-cans inshore racing.

He is looking forward to visiting new places and meeting new people, as well as relishing the opportunity to broaden his sailing experience with two transatlantic crossings.

 

His other interests such as cricket and croquet have taken a back seat to sailing this year!

 

J-P will be taking part in legs 1, 2 and 3.

 

 

Jon Carter is nearing 40, Jersey born and has been married to Julie for 14 years. He has two children Amy (12) and Charlie (9). It is Amy who is the reason that he is doing the Clipper Race following her school project for St Clements School for the last race.

 

Jon works for CB Richard Ellis International Commercial Property Advisors in Jersey and has done so for over 11 years.

 

His sailing experience pre Clipper training was a great big nil but with the training completed he's looking forward to rising to the Clipper challenge.

 

Jon is undertaking the final leg (leg 7) from Cuba to New York across the Atlantic to Jersey and up to Liverpool for a winning finish!

 

His goal in all of this is to have fun, enjoy the experience and contribute as much as possible to hopefully another winning Jersey boat.

 

Jon Trott (28) is Jersey born and has lived on the Island all his life. He's been a Postie for the last 11 years and currently works as part of a project team for Jersey Post.

 

Living so close to the sea he has always had a natural pull towards the water. He started boating with the Sea Cadets then concentrated on sailing by joining the Youth Service Sailing Club. He's have been lucky enough to spend much of his free time over the last 15 years on the water. Jon has recently joined St. Helier Yacht Club and he crews on a racing boat most weekends.

 

Sailing is a big part of Jon's life, and he also enjoys most water sports plus annual snowboarding trips.

 

Having written at school about one day sailing around the world, the Clipper 2005 Race should prove an amazing experience for him.

 

"Jersey Clipper crews from both the 2000 and 2002 races having set such a high standard, together with the exceptional support from the Islanders, will I'm sure inspire us to challenge for the lead every step of the way."

 

Jon is on board for legs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Jos Belgrave (50) is originally from Dorset but now lives in Sussex.  He has been married to Sue for 25 years and they have two sons, Hew and Laurie.

 

Jos was unsuccessful in persuading his sons that sailing was fun so he has been off the water for some years and the Clipper race is a chance to rectify that. Prior to his family commitments his experience was mainly in dinghies.

 

In his teens, Jos was an international athlete but his failure to make the '76 Olympic team coincided with the increasing work demands of his veterinary studies resulting in an early retirement from competition.

 

Having qualified in 1980 he continued his interest in sports medicine through his work as a racehorse vet, developing a large specialist practice in Arundel.

 

The birth of the internet stimulated a fascination with information and communication which led to Jos leaving veterinary practice and co-founding an internet business. Working life since then has revolved around the internet, communications and medical information.

 

With a love of travelling and adventure, participating in Legs 2 and 3 (South Atlantic and Southern Ocean) will give Jos a wonderful opportunity to experience these great oceans and the satisfaction of being part of a winning team.

Julian Shaw (59) was born in Lyme Regis and grew up there enjoying the sea and dinghy sailing. He's been divorced for quite a while, is good friends with his ex-wife Karen and they have a son aged 22 and a daughter aged 20.

 

Julian has a degree in Chemical Engineering but ever since obtaining his Doctorate in the field of Heat Transfer, he's been into software development in one form or another. He now manages a small company in Cheshire that develops software for the process industries, particularly Risk Analysis and Refinery Planning applications.

 

Julian has travelled a fair bit and has lived abroad in South Africa and California for many years before settling back in Cheshire - but he plans to end up back in Lyme Regis one day...

 

His other interests include walking with friends, playing guitar and singing regularly at the local pub as well as writing his own songs.

 

Julian chose some places he's never been before for his legs. He joins the race in Qingdao, China for Leg 5 and continues on for Leg 6 from Victoria, Canada to the Caribbean. He said "I'd love to have done the last leg as well but after my first great experience on the Clipper boats I immediately added leg 6 to my original leg 5 commitment. To add yet another leg would take too much time out. But I can't think of a better place to recover from the physical privations of the race than the Caribbean - can you? So let's get started!"

Kate Greenwood is skipping along the dotted line of being nearly 40. Originally from Liverpool, Kate has had a love of water all of her life. A former international competitive swimmer, Kate got deeply into SCUBA diving before realising about 2 years ago that it’s just as much fun going fast through the water keeping dry as it is getting wet! Needless to say, she is very much at home in water and has retained her competitiveness – being first loser at anything is not comfortable for her.

 

Most of her childhood summer holidays were spent ‘messing about in boats’ in the Solent.  But it is only since her first Clipper training week that Kate became serious about sailing - gaining her Day Skipper practical and Yachtmaster theory qualifications, racing 'around the cans' at Cowes in the spring series and blagging as much water time as possible on virtually any vessel that can be sailed.

 

Always one to get stuck in and have a go Kate decided in for a penny… and is taking part as a ‘round-the-worlder’, leaving behind her career in marketing and communications with BAE Systems. Since Crew Allocation in early June, Kate has been buzzing about being on Jersey Clipper. She has no links with the island, however is very excited and feels privileged to be an honorary Jersey girl.

 

As for unusual skills, Kate is a grade 7 Trumpet – but she promises not to bring even a mouthpiece on board, it would definitely not make the boat go faster.  She was renowned in Bristol during her student days for her ‘rack of spam’ and has an ability to make meals out of the most unlikely ingredients. 

 

"It’s going to be a cracking adventure" she said.  "We will sail safe, we will sail fast, we will have a MARVELLOUS time and we are the team to beat.”

Kelly Johns (33) was born in Kent but for the last 18 years has made her home in Cornwall.  She has been married to Dave for three years and their family consists of a "dysfunctional" dog called Budd and two cats (all rescue jobs). 

 

Kelly studied at university in both Nottingham and Cardiff and now works as an Environmental Health Officer in the wilds of the Dartmoor National Park.  You can bet that the galley on Jersey will be the cleanest!

 

Kelly and her twin brother were given a Mirror dinghy when they were 10 but never really got the chance to sail it properly as they'd moved house.  Years later Kelly ‘crewed’ occasionally on a J80 out of Plymouth.  "In reality I was just ballast!" she says.

 

During her time spent living in Plymouth Kelly would see the Clipper 60’s going in and out of the marina, as Clipper used to be based in there.  "It was on one of those occasions I was heard to exclaim that ‘one day I’m going to do that’, and here I am" she said.

 

Due to work constraints Kelly is only doing one leg, and has chosen leg 4 (Fremantle to Qingdao).  "I’m really looking forward to doing something completely different and pushing myself.  I guess the thing that scares me the most, is well... getting scared! We shall see!" she said.

 

Malcolm Corcoran (50) ran away to sea when he was 17 to be a deck officer on cargo ships in the Merchant Navy. He has already circumnavigated the globe and has been privileged to visit most parts of the world but that was on motor ships - he is a relative novice to sailing.

 

Having been brought up in Scotland and lived in Liverpool and Manchester he now lives in a sleepy village near Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk.  He works for AMT-SYBEX, a Hertfordshire based company who provide consultancy and software to the utilities industry. He is married to Gail and has two children, Alexandra and James, who are both at University. 

 

Aside from sailing Mal is a keen sportsman and although retired from his first love, rugby, he plays competitive squash, has run a couple of marathons and also enjoys tennis, skiing and hill walking. "I like to feel I've earned the beers!" he said.

 

Mal sees the Clipper Race as a unique opportunity to test endurance, both physically and mentally. He joins Jersey Clipper on legs 6 and 7 and is excited that this will mean a visit to his adopted home of Jersey.  He's already looking forward to the big, hopefully victorious, party!

During the race Mal is raising funds for WaterAid, an international charity dedicated exclusively to the provision of safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world’s poorest people.

 

"I wish everyone on Jersey Clipper a fantastic race.  I'm looking forward to supporting my ship-mates and being part of a winning team" he said.

Marcus Ludewig (34) was born in Hamburg and came to England when he was four years old.  He grew up in Scarborough on the North Yorkshire coast and has always had a fascination with the sea. He spent much of his childhood running around the cliffs or on the beaches or at the old Southbay pool.

 

After completing his degree in graphic design, Marcus embarked on a series of travels and spent a total of five or so years working, surfing and partying (not necessarily in that order) his way round some pretty interesting areas of the world.

 

Traveling led him to his one and only real bit of sailing experience, a 58 day crossing of the Indian Ocean. It was here that he fell in love with blue water sailing and the dream of a full circumnavigation was born. "Ten years on I'm aiming to make that dream a reality" he said.

 

"All round it's a huge learning curve and a very exciting time for me. I'm incredibly chuffed to be onboard Jersey Clipper and am looking forward to getting to know everybody involved a bit better." he said.

Mark Taylor (41) is Jersey Clipper's professional skipper. Originally from Epsom in Surrey, he now lives in Stoke Flemming, near Dartmouth in Devon.  An accountant by trade, Mark spent 18 years working in the City of London before taking up sailing full time in 2001.

Mark was introduced to sailing at age 6 by his Grandfather, in a home-built Mirror dinghy.  By the age of 23 he had purchased his first yacht - a classic gaff cutter.  Mark then spent several years owning and racing classic yachts and still regularly races on a 1921 Fife as mainsheet trimmer.

 

Mark has two children - Victoria and James.

 

Amongst Mark's sailing achievements, in 2000 he has sailed single-handed across the Atlantic from Plymouth to Newport Rhode Island, and in 2002 went on to lead 16 amateurs across the Atlantic as one of the skippers on the Challenge Transat.

 

Commenting on his appointment, Mark said: “I am passionate about sailing and helping people live their dreams. Since a young age I have been intrigued by the oceans and inspired by yachtsmen such as Sir Peter Blake, Sir Francis Chichester and of course the Clipper 05-06 organiser, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. As skipper of the Jersey Clipper, I feel truly privileged to help people achieve their goals working together as a team to a common end. Arriving safely and competitively at the end of a leg will give immense satisfaction and sense of achievement.

 

“The Clipper 05-06 Race with its new yachts and Southern Ocean route is the premier event of its kind and to be selected to lead Jersey Clipper is a dream come true.  Having sailed across several oceans in all conditions, whether fully crewed, double or single-handed, I feel at one with the sea and can never wait to get offshore again.

 

“My ultimate sailing aim is the Vendee Globe 2008 with the 2006 5-Oceans Race as a precursor. I see no better preparation than this race.  I hope to learn and grow with my team throughout the race in addition to being a competitive entry and, having been to Jersey both on business and sailing many times, I will take great pride in representing the Island around the world as our racing yacht takes on the other international teams.”

 

Mark Wain (29) was born in Felixstowe, Suffolk and lived there until the age of eighteen when he went to Durham University (1994 -1998) to study Arabic with Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. This included eight months living and studying in Sana'a, Yemen.

Following University he moved to Guildford and completed his CPE and LPC at the College of Law (1998-2000). He then obtained a training contract with Nigel Harris & Partners in Jersey and qualified as an English Solicitor in 2003. Since then Mark has worked for Nigel Harris & Partners on secondment to Rathbone Trust Company Jersey Limited.

Growing up on the coast Mark has always enjoyed being on and by the sea. He spent time dinghy sailing whilst at school although his recent sailing experience is very limited.

"After much thought I decided to take part in the race as I was looking for a new challenge. I like to travel and sailing around the world seems like the ultimate challenge" he said.

Fortunately for Mark, everything fell into place to enable him take part and both Nigel Harris & Partners and Rathbones have kindly agreed to him taking a twelve month sabbatical to complete the circumnavigation.

Mark is a keen hockey player and enjoys most sports both as a participant and spectator.

Melinda Lowther (27) is from Jersey and works at Dominion Fiduciary Services Group as a Trust Officer.  She lived in London from 1996 to 2003 whilst studying for a degree in Maths and Statistics followed by a Masters in Environmental Impact Assessment at the University of Brighton.  "I finally decided that it was time to give up education a get a real job so I came home to Jersey!" she said.

 

Melinda's father was a Master Mariner so the sea is in her blood. 

 

When she was 17 Melinda went on an Ocean Youth Club voyage with her place awarded by Queen Adelaide Fund For Sailors.  Since then, she's not done any sailing.  "I decided to apply for the Clipper race as I needed an adventure" she said.  "I thought it would be an amazing thing to do for myself and to make sure Jersey win".

  

"I have already really enjoyed the experience just from doing my training, so I am looking forward the race" she said. 

 

Melinda is aboard for leg 6.

 

Mervyn Wheatley, a retired Royal Marine Major from Newton Ferrers, Plymouth will take over as skipper for the New York to Jersey and Jersey to Liverpool races of leg 7.
 
Mervyn is a veteran of the very first Clipper Round The World Yacht Race in 1996, when he finished in 7th place as skipper of Thermopylae.  After Clipper '96 he bought his 42ft yacht Tamarind. He has completed five Round Britain and Ireland two-handed races, has raced to the Azores and back four times single-handed, and sailed solo across the Atlantic in the 2005 OSTAR.
 
More recently when Cardiff skipper Conor Fogerty had to return to the UK briefly due to his wife's illness, Mervyn stepped in to act as relief skipper on Cardiff for race 8, finishing respectably in 5th place.

Nick Halliwell (31) was born in Jersey and currently works in Ukraine for a US-based private equity investment firm, Vik Capital.

 

He attended Victoria College and went on to study Russian and French at the University of Edinburgh. After graduating, he worked as a journalist for oil industry publisher Energy Intelligence Group, including two years as its Moscow Bureau Chief. He later worked as Head of International Media Relations for Russian oil company Sibneft in Moscow, and as Project Manager for Millhouse Capital, a Russian private equity firm.

Nick recently completed his Master of Business Administration degree from Yale University, and will be taking part in leg 5 across the Pacific.

 

Peter Le Coyte, a retired dentist from Wiltshire, is looking forward to celebrating his 70th birthday on board Jersey Clipper towards the end of his voyage as a round-the-worlder.

 

Although he has no formal connection with Jersey, he feels great affection for the island having visited it many times, and he and wife Mary chose Jersey as their honeymoon destination 21 years ago. The fact that he still has friends made during these visits is a tribute to the welcome he received and the friendliness of Jersey’s people, and he is delighted to further his association with the island. He also had a ‘daughter’ on the island for many years, having adopted Bali, one of the orang-utans at Jersey Zoo, sponsoring her until her untimely death in the early 1990s.

 

Since his youth Peter has liked the idea of sailing but had to wait until his Clipper part A training for his first taste of life at sea. Since then he's gained his Day Skipper qualification.

 

For over forty years his passion has been for the air, flying light aircraft, and he has taken part in the Jersey Air Rally several times in a 1938 Tiger Moth. Now he has discovered the joys of a different element, which he has embraced with fervour. “It’s great to be learning something new at my stage in life” he says, “and the race will be a fantastic adventure. I’m keen to give back something to a place which has been so good to me by being part of the team bringing back the trophy to Jersey.”

 

Peter has two children and five grandchildren, all of whom are very proud of their ‘Ancient Mariner’ and will be following the race with enthusiasm.

Peter Mourant (52) was born in Jersey and is married with children.  He has worked as picture editor at the Jersey Evening Post for longer than he cares to remember.

 

Peter has a fair amount of sailing experience around France and the Channel Islands with the odd foray further afield.

Peter is on board for the short race from Liverpool to Cascais in Portugal to capture images of the crew in action, reporting back to the newspaper via satellite and producing a "Clipper Special" for the paper.

"Prior to doing my Part C training I'd forgotten just how good Smash tasted" he said!

 

Richard Cornish (24) is originally for Droitwich in Worcestershire but now lives in Penzance, Cornwall - a very easy move for him after spending a lot of his childhood there.

 

Trained as an aircraft technician in Stansted, he now works for an internet watersports retail company selling diving and surfing equipment, which allows him more time to play.

 

Very much a salty young pup, having felt the "call of the sea" from an early age he is an avid diver, surfer, Cornish pilot gig rower and now sailor.

 

"I feel very proud and honoured to be sailing on Jersey, we've got a great crew, skipper and the support of an entire island" he said.

 

"I was christened 'Monkey' by Mark (the skipper) within about 2 minutes of meeting him, probably because he decided I'd be good sat on the end of the spinnaker pole and up the mast!"

 

Richard originally signed up for the first three legs but has since decided to be a round-the-worlder.

Richard Franklin (43) joins as skipper for leg 6 and 7 of the race, taking over from Mark Taylor and Simon Rowell.

 

Richard started out his career as a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, followed by ten years working in the financial services sector for brand leaders such as UBS (one of Jersey Clipper's sponsors along with Dandara and Les Pas Holdings) before he was drawn towards his passion of ocean racing.   For over ten years he has run his own yacht charter company while building his racing career.

 

Recently Richard took second place in the ‘Challenge Business Round Ireland Race’ as skipper of ‘The Spirit of Sark.’

 

He had already been in talks with Clipper Ventures to skipper a yacht in the 07-08 Race before he got the call from the Clipper race team.  Franklin was in Jersey after finishing the inaugural Round Ireland Race when he began discussions with Race Director, Tim Hedges, and puts this opportunity down to “being in the right place at the right time!”

 

On discussing his ambitions for the race, Richard said: “Winning is always important.  I’ll certainly do my very best to get Jersey as far up the rankings as possible.   It is also very important that everyone gets round safely and that the crew who have signed up get out of it everything that they wanted and expected.

“My style is very much trying to get the best out of everyone.  I’ll analyse everyone’s strengths and weaknesses, see which areas need the most work and go from there.”

 

Rick Robson (26) was born in Lancashire and went to school in Manchester. He developed a keen interest in mountaineering and has made countless trips to Scotland and the Alps. At university, he rowed competitively for three years and competed in the Henley Royal Regatta.

Rick trained to be a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte & Touche LLP in Reading, where he's worked for the last three and a half years.

He took up sailing in 2003 when he took a sailing course and hasn't looked back since, taking part in numerous sailing weekends around the Solent including some 'round the cans' racing. Deciding that he needed a real challenge, he thought that signing up as a crew member for part of a round the world yacht race would be just the ticket.

"I think it will be an incredible experience for me both in terms of what I will learn and the people I will meet. I am looking forward to the inter-boat rivalry but most of all to the team spirit that seems to follow the Jersey boat" he said.

Rick is onboard for leg 5 (Qingdao in China to Victoria in Canada).

Robert Pulleyn (23) - known as RJ to his friends - is taking a gap year between finishing his masters degree and hopefully starting a city job in London.

 

RJ has had a keen interest in sailing since his childhood when he sailed dinghies and went on some flotilla holidays with his family.

 

It was his old sailing instructor Ed Green that first told RJ about the Clipper round-the-world race (Ed was a skipper in the 2000 race and skippered Jersey Clipper for one race in 2002).  "It  seemed like a fantastic way to achieve my dream of sailing around the world as well as spending an exicting year out" said RJ.

 

He has now clocked up a few thousand miles of sailing experience and he has achieved his Yachtmaster qualification under the watchful eye of Bob Beggs (skipper of Bristol Clipper in the 2000 race).

 

"Now that I've had a taste of blue water sailing I can't wait to get out there, surfing our 68 footer down big waves and beating the rest of the fleet to a well deserved beer in the next exotic port" said RJ.

 

His other interests include skiing, hiking, travelling and playing sports such as rugby and football. Being fairly competitive he's very pleased to have Mark Taylor as skipper and really wants to do his best for Jersey to retain the trophy.

 

RJ is one of the core round the world crew.

Robin Farey (41) was born and brought up in Essex and now lives in Leamington Spa. After qualifying in mechanical engineering, he worked in the electronics industry in the UK and Australia, before becoming a Business Consultant working in the manufacturing industry in the UK, India, Denmark and Switzerland.

 

Rob enjoyed skiing and playing cricket, squash, and tennis but has recently concentrated his attention on sailing. Rob took up sailing three years ago having had no previous experience. He now has his Coastal Skipper qualification for yachts and a Fireball dinghy which he loves racing at his local reservoir. His Coastal Skipper assessment led him to meet Bob Beggs, Bristol Clipper skipper in the 2000 race and reminded him of a pipedream he had had a few years before.

 

“I dreamed of joining the first Clipper race when I read about it at the time, but knew that I would never have the time or money to do it. Then when I met Bob in 2003 I realised that I could make the time and find the money and live out my dream. I am very happy to have been chosen as a crewmember of Jersey Clipper. As the defending boat the crew has a lot to prove and this will add to our already competitive spirit.” he said.

 

Robin will be onboard for the whole circumnavigation.

 

Sarah Le Claire (36) was born and grew up in Dorset, where she sailed from early childhood in a variety of dinghies and bigger boats.  A sense of survival was built in early to her sailing career as her father's idea of teaching her to sail was to tow her and her sister to the far end of Portland Harbour in their Mirror dinghy, untie the rope and challenge them to get back to the shore.

 

Happiest in life in, on or under water, the sea has always played a major role in Sarah's life.  Despite starting out studying languages and economics, she changed tack mid 20s to study marine resource management at masters level and hasn't looked back since.

 

Sarah did a fair amount of travelling - including a yacht delivery from San Diego to Tahiti - before moving to Edinburgh for 2 years, then Cowes, Isle of Wight for almost 4 years.  She moved to Jersey in 1999 to be with Gerard, who sadly died in a helicopter accident in Mongolia in January 2001, shortly after they were married. She currently works as Policy Manager within the Environment Department of the States of Jersey.
 
Sarah part-owns a Beneteau First 317 which she enters in 'round the cans' and offshore races.

 

Sailing the Southern Ocean has been an ambition since childhood.  Her long term plan is to do her own circumnavigation, taking about 10 years with lots of stops, but she would like to sail the Roaring Forties before she hits her own! The opportunity to undertake this challenge with a team from Jersey, her adopted home, is a dream come true.  So long as the team finishes with a smile on our faces (and the cup under our arm!) she'll be happy!

 

Finally, Sarah would like to comment that she is delighted by the photo put on this site by the website manager Marcus, which was taken at about 3am after the 'Rallye Nowhere' (ask Marcus to explain!)

 

Sarah is on board for leg 3.

Saúl Lopes (49) is a pediatrician from the Algarve in Portugal and will be on board for the first three legs.

Shane Smart is a sports cameraman working for Transworld Intenational (TWI) the company contracted to produce a series of television programmes about the Clipper race, that will be broadcast around the world.

 

Shane is aboard Jersey Clipper for the Transatlantic crossing during leg 7, sailing from New York to Jersey.

Simon Dowler (40) spent his early career as a lawyer in the City where he specialized in maritime and aviation finance before moving on to become an in-house lawyer for British Aerospace.

 

As well as various places within the UK, Simon has lived in Toulouse in the south of France and Pretoria, South Africa where he obtained his private pilot’s license and spent much of his time flying to various game reserves and other remote locations around southern Africa.
 
He now lives in Buckinghamshire with his wife Sandra and has recently joined a large American IT company as Senior Legal Counsel.

 

As well as flying and sailing Simon lists his other hobbies as scuba diving, rugby and motorcycling – especially the Isle of Man TT races which he attends most years.
 
“Although I once took part in the Tall Ships Race from Lisbon to Southampton, I have never attempted anything like this before!” says Simon who is doing the final leg of the race. 

 

“For me, it’s the challenge of doing something that I never thought I would get the chance to do” explained Simon.  "I'm delighted that Clipper granted me my wish to be part of the Jersey crew.  It’s a great place, with great people and its on a winning streak!” he said referring to the victory in the last race.

Simon Fitton (40), is originally from Ormskirk in Lancashire but now lives in Northumberland. A surveyor by profession Simon has worked for Taylors Valuers for 12 years. He has been married to Sarah for 18 years and they have two sons Alex (13) and Harry (5).

 

A life changing event two years ago when Simon was diagnosed with cancer brought him to the conclusion that you have to stop putting off what you really want to do and just go out and do it.

 

"With little to no sailing experience but lots of enthusiasm and the determination to meet the challenges ahead,  I am looking forward to working with a great crew and hopefully being part of another winning Jersey boat" he said.

 

Simon is onboard for legs 6 and 7.

Simon Rowell (39) from Cowes, Isle of Wight, will take over as interim skipper of Jersey Clipper in Qingdao (China), at the start of leg 5, the gruelling 30-day crossing of the Pacific from China to Victoria, Canada. 

 

Simon is familiar with the challenge of taking over as skipper mid-race having taken over leadership of the Jersey crew in the 2002 race at the beginning of leg 2, and having also taken over as skipper of Leeds Clipper in The Times Clipper 2000 Race.

 

Simon is an engineer by trade, having worked for a number of years in the North Sea, Oman and Pakistan in the oil and gas industry.  He made his comeback to yachting in 1997 as skipper of the UKSA Albatross.  He has experience of sailing in varied waters, from the Solent to the North Atlantic.  After skippering Jersey Clipper for most of the 2002-3 race he rejoined Clipper Ventures to manage the crew training programme before taking on the demanding role of Assistant Race Director.

 

Originally from Nottingham, Simon grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe, and now lives in Cowes, Isle of Wight.

Sonia Russell (30) lives in Chislehurst in Kent and works in the City of London as a personal assistant at Allianz Private Equity UK Holdings Limited.

 

Having been brought up on the coast at Frinton-on-Sea in Essex, the sea has always been a part of Sonia’s life and after experiencing a day out on a 72ft racing yacht, sailing around the world became a life long dream - albeit one she thought she would be doing at a far more relaxed pace in 30 years time!

 

Sonia sailed with family and friends occasionally as a child but she didn’t really get involved in sailing again until signing up for the Clipper race as a ‘round-the-worlder’.  She has since raced a J125 in the Jog to Poole and participated in several yacht deliveries.  Sonia is very much looking forward to completing the rest of her training and becoming a strong member of the core crew.

 

Several years ago Sonia lost her father to a heart attack at the age of 58, so upon hearing about the Clipper Race she knew instantly the time was right to live her dream.  “Never being one for half measures I knew that, for me, it was either the whole race or nothing.  I want the entire experience, the emotions of setting off on such an adventure, the camaraderie and team building, the sight and smell of each new country as we sail into port, together with the excitement and exhilaration of the homecoming in July 06.  It will be a mental and physical challenge that will push us all to our limits, but it is also a once in a lifetime opportunity and everyone with a spirit of adventure should try it” she said.

 

“I am very proud to be considered an honorary Jersey girl and over the moon to be sailing with such a fantastic crew. A very high standard has been set by the previous races and I feel we are up to the challenge of once again bringing home the Clipper Cup.”

Steve Rondel (44) has been married to Siobhan for 15 years, and they have two daughters, Alana (11) and Sophie (10). He was born and educated in Jersey but spent three years studying Geography at what is now the University of the South West, though in ancient times this was Plymouth Polytechnic.

Steve considers himself to be one of the most fortunate crew members in the whole race, as he is being sponsored by UBS Jersey for whom he has worked for the past eleven years. "Not only are the local branch of UBS one of the main sponsors of the Jersey Clipper, but they also sponsored a berth for a local member of staff. With my wife's support and that of my immediate colleagues, I applied and was fortunate enough to be accepted. It was once I began to meet other crew at training, I realised what a fantastic opportunity I had been given, and intend to make the most if it" he said.

 

Until attending the part A and B training, Steve's sailing experience was just about zero - some dinghy sailing and windsurfing many years ago - but he loves spending time on or around the sea and before the children were born owned a small motor boat which sank in one of Jersey's harbours!

"Although I have virtually no sailing experience, I can't wait to get on board, get my hands dirty, learn, have fun and most of all contribute to THE boat to be on ... after all, we have some act to follow" he said.

 

Steve is doing leg 6 of the race and will join his crewmates in Victoria, Canada in March 2006.

Tim Osborn-Jones (60) lives in Henley on Thames with his wife Duffy - an occupational therapist - and their two teenage children Katie and Robert who are both serious rowers.

 

Tim is a member of the Human Resources and Organisational Behaviour faculty at the Henley Management College and is also the lead tutor for personal development at the college.  Previously Tim was director of the Carr Gomm Society which is a community-based housing association.

 

Years ago he raced dinghies and has also enjoyed cruising the Norfolk Broads, the Pembrokeshire coast and the west coast of Scotland.  He's sailed in the Solent and on numerous Channel crossings.  Tim has also explored the canal systems of Scotland and France.

 

But his big dream is to cross the Atlantic, so he will be indulging his love of the sea by crewing Jersey Clipper on leg 1 from Liverpool down to Portugal and across to Brazil.  He is looking forward to the famous Neptune ceremony on crossing the equator, learning to cope with life in a confined space, and to taking on the infamous Bay of Biscay and mid-Atlantic gales.