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QINGDAO, China, March 17 (Xinhua) -- Twelve captains of the 2017-18 Clipper Round The World Yacht Race have been selected, including two female skippers, the organization committee of Qingdao leg of the race said on Friday.
The two female captains are Wendy Tuck from Sydney, Australia and Briton Nicola Henderson.
Wendy, 52, is set to become the first Australian skipper to complete two circumnavigations with the Clipper.
After beginning to sail in her twenties, Wendy spent the last decade as an instructor and skipper at the Royal Yachting Association (RYA).
Nicola, 23, Guildford in Surrey County, is set to make Clipper Race history after being selected as the youngest ever professional skipper to lead a team in the 40,000-nautical mile yacht race.
Nicola has skippered three ARC races across the Atlantic, winning two awards for the Youngest Skipper. As an RYA instructor for over three years, she has already taught over 200 students and launched a water sports centre in Denver, Colorado.
"Once again it is great to see our skippers reflecting a diverse range of age, gender and geographical locations. As ever, I wish all twelve skippers and their teams the best in their 2017-18 Clipper Race campaigns," said Robin Knox-Johnston, founder of the Clipper Race.
The 2017-18 Clipper Race will launch in August in Britain and will visit Qingdao in March of 2018 for the seventh straight time.
