Harassment Case Against Clipper Race Boss Dismissed

14th November 2014

#ClipperRace - The harassment case against Clipper Round The World Race organiser Sir Robin Knox-Johnson has been dismissed by an employment tribunal.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the offshore sailing legend was sued along with fellow organisers by lawyer-turned-sailor Ruth Harvey over victimisation and harassment she allegedly experienced while crewing the yacht Jamaica Get All Right in the most recent edition of the Clipper Race.

Harvey, a specialist in employment law, argued that she should have been classified as an employee because she had been a full crew member despite dropping out of the race after two legs, according to the Daily Telegraph.

But a tribunal judge this week rejected her case on a number of legal points, including whether Harvey could indeed be classed as an employee, and whether Sir Robin, as founder of the race company, should have been named a defendant.

The news will come as some relief to the 75-year-old Sir Robin, who continues to climb the rankings in the solo transatlantic Route du Rhum.

The Telegraph has more on the story HERE.

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MacDara Conroy

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MacDara Conroy is a contributor covering all things on the water, from boating and wildlife to science and business

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About the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is undoubtedly one of the greatest ocean adventures on the planet, also regarded as one of its toughest endurance challenges. Taking almost a year to complete, it consists of eleven teams competing against each other on the world’s largest matched fleet of 70-foot ocean racing yachts.

The Clipper Race was established in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop, around the world in 1968-69. His aim was to allow anyone, regardless of previous sailing experience, the chance to embrace the thrill of ocean racing; it is the only event of its kind for amateur sailors. Around 40 per cent of crew are novices and have never sailed before starting a comprehensive training programme ahead of their adventure.

This unique challenge brings together everyone from chief executives to train drivers, nurses and firefighters, farmers, airline pilots and students, from age 18 upwards, to take on Mother Nature’s toughest and most remote conditions. There is no upper age limit, the oldest competitor to date is 76.

Now in its twelfth edition, the Clipper 2019-20 Race started from London, UK, on 02 September 2019.