Villager fulfils lifelong ambition by taking part in round the world yacht race
A Bottesford man is fulfilling a life-long ambition as he takes part in the iconic Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
Ross Ryan, who works as a development manager, is part of the crew of Punta del Este as they navigate the stage from Seattle, in the north-west of the United States, through the Panama Canal and then passing south and east of America to Washington DC.
The race is unique in that it takes ordinary people and trains them to become ocean racers, with no sailing background or experience necessary.
Speaking on board his team yacht, keen sailor Ross said: ”I’m super happy - we’re going sailing.
"We are going along the West Coast of the USA, through the Panama Canal and then up the other side of the USA To Washington, D.C.
"I signed up in July last year, so this has been 10 months of waiting to start.”
The 10-strong fleet of identical Clipper Race race yachts have departed Seattle’s Bell Harbor Marina to begin the 3,728 nautical mile race to Panama.
This stage presents a mix of conditions, from strong breezes and coastal influences in the north to lighter winds and rising heat closer to the equator.
It’s no pleasure cruise as the race crew will undertake all aspects of ocean racing, from sailing around the clock in shift patterns called watches, to cooking, cleaning and maintaining the team yacht.
Ross added: “I have bought everything for us to eat for 55 days - I hope I’ve not forgotten anything.”
He will be departing the race at Washington DC, where he will meet up with his wife after about 40 days at sea.
The Clipper Race will continue one last leg of the circumnavigation with a race across the North Atlantic to Oban, Scotland, and onwards to the finish in the port of Portsmouth.
It started in August 2025, from Portsmouth, and visited ports in Spain, Uruguay, South Africa, Australia, the Philippines, China and Korea before reaching the USA.
Ryan is a leading light at Notts County Sailing Club at Hoveringham and was presented with a prestigious Royal Yachting Association award by HRH The Princess Royal for his work in making the sport more accessible to young people.