Storm Hit Clipper Yacht To Evacuate Injured Crew Member

9th March 2016

Clipper Race yachtswoman Trudi Bubb was injured when yacht Unicef 'fell of a wave'

A yacht carrying a British sailor competing in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is diverting into Shanghai to transfer a crew member who has a suspected fractured arm, sustained during a violent storm.

Trudi Bubb, 50, from Crawley, was injured when her team’s yacht, Unicef, fell off a wave during extreme weather in the Yellow Sea and she suffered a fall below decks in the galley area earlier today.

It was a tumultuous night with the fleet experiencing some of the worst conditions of the entire 40,000 nautical mile circumnavigation so far. Gusting winds of 70 to 80 knots tested the 12 ‘novice’ teams, with extended periods at 55 to 60 knots and a very rough, steep sea state.

The team is approximately 120 nautical miles south east of Shanghai and has an ETA of 0100 UTC tomorrow. On arrival into Shanghai, Trudi will be transferred to hospital for x-rays and evaluation of her injury, after which the team will resume racing onto the Race Finish in Qingdao, China.

Race Director Justin Taylor said: "Next of kin have been informed and further updates will be announced as we have them. We wish Trudi a fast and full recovery."

Unicef relief Skipper Paul Atwood had described the conditions in his blog earlier in the day: “Slamming, driving rain, the steady 50-60 knots breeze peaking at a gust of 92 knots, the air full of horizontal spray, waves filling the cockpit…

“Last night was a tad hectic, very windy, very bouncy and saw us go around in circles as we attempted and succeeded in one evolution after another, each of which take 10 - 15 minutes in the Solent, or Sydney harbour, but which, last night were taking 60 - 90 minutes each.

“Nevertheless we have emerged slightly worse for wear but intact and are making our way north as best we can with the uncooperative wind angle. The sea state has improved a lot although the waves are pretty big and still foam streaked,” Paul added.

The yacht's Skipper and on board medic have had advice from doctors at the race's remote telemedicine service, ClipperTelemed+, which is staffed by doctors from the race’s Global Medical Emergency Support Partner, PRAXES.

The Clipper 2015-16 Round the World Yacht Race, the tenth edition of the biennial global series, is the world’s longest ocean race at more than 40,000 miles, taking 11 months to race between six continents.

It is currently the eighth stage of a 14-race global series, from Da Nang, Vietnam, to Qingdao, China.

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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.