Shayne sets off across Pacific

Shayne, one of five successful Derry City Council sponsored bursary representatives, flew out from Belfast on Saturday to meet up with his team mates at Qingdao in China on Sunday before departing for an estimated 40 days non-stop race sailing.

Shayne, who is no stranger to the sea and water based activities, said he was looking forward to this once in a lifetime experience to visit new countries and be part of the team as it faces one of the toughest and most challenging legs of the race to date.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I am really looking forward to it. I’ve been preparing myself for this challenge for some time now and just want to go out there and be part of this huge event,” he said before departure.

Shayne has been involved in water sports for a long number of years and is a keen kayaker. In preparation for the challenge ahead, Shayne has done a series of training courses to prepare him for the tough sea conditions he is anticipating on the Pacific.

“The training provided has been really useful in giving you an insight into all aspects of sailing from navigating the vessel, to health and safety and sailing techniques.

“The training also provided us with a good opportunity to get to know the other bursary people as well as the other team members on board the Derry boat,” he explained.

Shayne has always had an interest in the Clipper race having followed it for a number of years.

“I couldn’t believe it when the bursary opportunity came up. I have followed the Clipper race for a couple of years and always been interested in it.

“It would never have been something I could have done only that this opportunity came my way through the Kickstart programme.

“It’s fantastic and I am really delighted to be part of such a huge sailing event. It’s such a huge opportunity and I’m really honoured to be part of it,” he said.

The Derry~Londonderry boat is currently in fifth place, just behind Finland, and Shayne is hoping for a podium place when it arrives in San Francisco at the end of March.

“The team are doing well out there, they are really getting stuck into the race. It would be great to get a podium position in the States, no doubt about that but at the moment I will be focusing on working hard with the team to ensure we cross the Pacific safely and do well in the race.”

At the end of June and early July, the city will host the race as a destination port when it welcomes all 12 of the participating yachts into the city.

This is something Shayne is looking forward to and anticipates will be a huge occasion and cause for celebration across the city and region.

“The Clipper event is massive and will be of huge interest to people across Derry, Donegal and beyond. At the moment I am solely focusing on my leg of the race and the job I have to do, but hopefully I will be on home soil again in the summer to be part of the celebrations and welcoming my team home.”

Shayne will be providing regular updates from the vessel via the Clipper’s Facebook page Derry Londonderry Clipper 11-12 and on Twitter – DerryClipper where you can follow the team and their progress in the race. Shayne is taking part in the KICKSTART to work programme as part of the Derry City Council bursary initiative.

For general information about the Clipper race visit www.derrycity.gov.uk/clipper