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This year's Clipper Round the World Yacht Race finish in Liverpool. Credit: Lois Bickerton

FORMER Thomas Hardye student Lois Bickerton is more determined than ever to complete every leg of next year's Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

It comes after attending the Clipper this year's finish in Liverpool and a crew party for the 09/10 race.

Lois, 26, said: "Seeing the race finish has made me more determined to be able to complete the circumnavigation so that I can be one of those proud crew representing Dorset as we arrive back to the UK in 2010.

"Our party gave us the chance to meet other crewmember's hoping to do the race next year.

"Everybody was curious and excited about meeting one another. We all had inspiring stories about how in which we came to be involved in the Clipper race.

"It was clear how varied each crewmember is from ages to professions, and that is the key to the success of Clipper.

"It makes it seem all very real now and everybody is getting excited about the next stage of training and crew selection next year."

The finish marked the end of nine months of serious ocean racing for many of the returning crew.

Lois Bickerton

Lois joined the welcoming crowd and met the crew of Glasgow: Scotland with Style.

She said: "It had the only female skipper in the race, Hannah Jenner - what a girl.

"They have had a fantastic race with a podium win for every leg and an overall third place.

"I was lucky to have the chance to talk to some of the crew and their words were of encouragement and determination.

"I spoke to Hannah, skipper of Glasgow about her man over board situation on the Durban to Fremantle leg.

"This was a harsh reminder that even in a well-organised race such as Clipper this is dangerous territory and ocean racing can be a life and death situation."

Lois, who currently works as a physiotherapist in Bristol, is now back home working on her fundraising.

Her website www.ocean2ocean.co.uk is developing and constantly being updated.

She said: "I have had a few generous donations towards my challenge but I am currently looking for my first sponsor for the leg Brazil to Durban, the most challenging of them all as we dip into the Southern Ocean and have to sail around the Cape of Good Hope.

"My next stage in my clipper training is another weeks sailing in October learning about race tactics."

12:37pm Tuesday 15th July 2008

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