Dublin sailor Brian Uniacke is just hours away from completing one of offshore sailing's greatest endurance tests as the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race reaches its finish in Portsmouth this weekend.
After almost a year at sea and more than 40,000 nautical miles of racing, Uniacke will complete his first circumnavigation as First Mate aboard Team Tongyeong.
The professional sailor has spent 11 months helping to lead amateur crew members through six ocean crossings, some of the world's most challenging weather systems and a race that circles the globe.
Although the overall Clipper Race title has already been secured by Team GOSH, the battle for the remaining podium places remains wide open. Just 16 points separate second and seventh overall, with Tongyeong still in contention as the fleet races towards Portsmouth.
Founded by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston in 1995, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is unique in offshore sailing. Participants from all walks of life undergo intensive training before racing identical 70-foot yachts around the world under the leadership of a professional skipper and first mate.
This edition attracted 12 Irish participants across the various race legs, including a dental surgeon, student, chief executive and project director.
Reflecting on the closing stages of the race, Uniacke said: "It's crazy that it's all coming to an end. I'm looking forward to it but it's going to be sad. I will miss the crew."
"I want to do well in the last race and it's definitely not over yet."
Uniacke said the opportunity to sail around the world while helping others develop as offshore sailors made the role particularly rewarding.
"I wanted to sail around the world and get paid. I wanted to do the North Pacific. The opportunity to lead people on a grander scale than as a skipper on small boats."
He added: "I have connected with people and helped make them better sailors, and done it safely. It's not over yet – we don't want to take our eye off the ball for one second."
The final 950-nautical-mile race began from Oban on Scotland's west coast and finishes behind the Isle of Wight at Portsmouth.
During the circumnavigation, crews have faced blistering equatorial heat, freezing Southern Ocean temperatures, powerful storms and weeks at sea in some of the world's most remote waters.
The race has also taken a personal toll.
"I think my girlfriend paid the real price as we've had eleven months apart," Uniacke said. "She has come out to stopovers but that is very hard and I am looking forward to picking my life back up."
Looking back on the experience, he believes the challenge has changed him.
"I think you grow stronger when you put yourself under pressure and I think I've grown. Physically I could do it again; mentally, I need a break."
The Clipper Race Grand Finale takes place in Portsmouth on Saturday, where the 2025-26 edition will conclude with the overall prize-giving and celebrations for all crews.
