Infrastructure Manager from Exeter set to embark on first ocean crossing of epic round the world yacht race
Steve Carrick, an infrastructure manager from Exeter, Devon, is circumnavigating the globe in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Now in the second of thirteen stages of the global route, Steve has just departed Puerto Sherry, Spain, to race across the Atlantic.
Founded by sailing legend Sir Robin Knox-Johnston in 1995, the Clipper Race is a 40,000-nautical mile circumnavigation of the globe, open to anyone regardless of previous sailing experience. Formed of ten teams racing identical stripped-back ocean-going yachts, non-professional Race Crew are led by a professional Skipper and First Mate.
A far cry from his day job, reflecting on the first stage, which was dubbed ‘a baptism of fire’ by the Clipper Race’s director, Steve said: “The opening stage was brutal. It delivered everything the forecast said. It was physical, but we got there.
“My day job was in an office, usually fixing things. This is much more physical, but it is still about problem solving.”
The first stage of Leg 1 saw Steve depart Portsmouth, UK, on 31 August and race over 1,000 nautical miles through strong winds and big sea states across the Bay of Biscay to Spain.
Racing as part of Team Washington, DC, representing the US city, Steve embarked on the second half of the Atlantic Trade Winds Leg on Sunday 14 September. After a particularly testing first stage, this one brings its own set of tactical and personal challenges. Teams will need to decide on the best way to navigate around the Canary Islands and then hone their light wind sailing skills as they head towards the equator and the infamous doldrums – a band that sits near the equator and brings unpredictability to test Steve and his teammates.
Speaking about what lays ahead, Steve added: “I am looking forward to this first ocean crossing - it's the reason we are here, to cross big oceans, so I am excited by the challenge.
“As a novice sailor with a huge amount to learn, you can only feel so prepared, but I am learning more day by day.”
Crossing the equator is a milestone for any sailor and this race will call upon the first visit from King Neptune of the circumnavigation. A real team highlight - the King Neptune ceremony is a long-standing maritime tradition that will turn all pollywog crew into shellbacks as they celebrate their first equator crossing.
Once clear of the doldrums, teams will pick up the easterly trade winds and enjoy a steadier race over to South America.
For Steve, there was an easy answer to what he’s looking forward to the most about this race. Laughing, he replied: “That's easy – getting to the other side!”
When Steve arrives into Punta del Este in Uruguay, he will have raced approximately 6,250 nautical miles (12,000km) so far and completed the first of eight legs that form the global route.
In total, some 500 Race Crew representing 40 nationalities will take part in the Clipper 2025-26 Race including teachers, chefs, plumbers, students, accountants, firefighters, retirees, geographers, lawyers, software developers and doctors.
After a stopover in Uruguay, the Clipper Race fleet heads to Cape Town (South Africa), Fremantle and Airlie Beach (Australia), Subic Bay (Philippines), Qingdao (China), Tongyeong City (South Korea), Seattle (USA), Panama, Washington, D.C (USA) and Oban (Scotland) before returning to Portsmouth.
Applications are still open for crew to sign up to participate in the Clipper 2025-26 Race, and applications for the 2027-28 edition are now open. To find out more visit clipperroundtheworld.com.
