Sail with me Around the World for UNICEF

In a couple of weeks, I’m setting off to sail with the Clipper Race Around the World and attempt a full circumnavigation of our planet on the UNICEF boat. As a UN Women Singapore Ambassador and Explorer, I am combining my passion for people and the planet and raising funds for children in need, all over the world. I'd love you to be involved!

This race was created by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world in 1969. His aim was to allow anyone, regardless of previous sailing experience, the chance to experience the thrill of ocean racing. Nearly half of the crew will be novices and have never sailed before starting a comprehensive training programme ahead of their adventure.

HOW LONG IS THE RACE & WHERE DOES IT STOP?
It’s 40,000 nautical miles / 74,000kms long and taking almost a year to complete, we’ll be 11 teams of about 20 people competing to finish the race as fast as possible on the world’s largest matched fleet of eleven 70-foot ocean racing sailing yachts, called Clippers. The overall route is split into a series of 13 races and 8 stops. It’ll be a cold, scary but crazy journey.

During last edition, the highest wind speed recorded was 94 knots - that’s 108mph - and the biggest waves were over 14m tall, in the Northern Pacific. This year is the 12th edition and over 700 crew are expected to take part. Crew can choose to take part in either the entire race or one or more of its eight legs.

HOW WILL I SURVIVE ON THESE BOATS?
It’ll definitely be a physical challenge. We’re talking no showers for over a month at the time, surrounded by over 20 human beings smelling the best they can. More than half a million litres of water will filtered through the fleet’s water makers, but it’ll be just enough for drinking. I’ll be living in a pattern of what we call ‘watch’, 4-hour awake and 4-hour sleeping and be sleeping following a system we call hot bunking, meaning while I’m on deck working, some other crew is sleeping on my bed, keeping it warm. On deck, I’ll be helming, adjusting the sails, doing navigation work, cooking for everyone and completing journaling and media duties. We usually burn about 5000 calories a day.

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT ME?
I need your support, and you can help me in many ways.