A MALVERN man achieved his ‘lifetime ambition’ when he was made skipper of Team Garmin for the fifth round of the World Yacht Race.
Mark Burkes and his crew embarked on the 2,150 mile sail from Albany in west Australia to Sydney which is part of ‘The Clipper Race’ last Tuesday (December 4) and are due to arrive between Thursday and Saturday (December 12 and 14).
The 48-year-old from Shrawley took part in the 2010-2011 race and was watch leader the following year.
The first round of the Clipper Race left London on September 1 and in total sailors will travel 40,000 miles making it the world’s largest ocean race.
After the latest leg the 12 strong fleet including Team Garmin will compete in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race going on to Brisbane, Singapore, China, San Francisco, Panama, Jamaica, New York, Derry, Londonderry and the Netherlands before returning to London St Katharine Docks for the finish in July next year.
Before setting off Mark said: “It is very exciting. Having participated in the Clipper 10-11 Race, it has actually been a lifetime career aim of mine to be a Clipper Race skipper.
“I’ve got a great bunch of guys and girls on Team Garmin and I’m absolutely stoked to be leading them around the world.”
Visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com/skipper-report/1529 to see Mark’s daily skipper reports.
