Dublin sailor Barry Twohig is preparing to tackle two Atlantic Ocean crossings in the next Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, having discovered sailing later in life and developed a taste for offshore adventure.

The 59-year-old is among the Irish participants signed up for the next edition of the race, which begins in summer 2027. His challenge will take him approximately 10,000 nautical miles from the UK to South America and onwards to South Africa.

His preparations coincide with a visit to Ireland by the Clipper Race's new RX ocean racing yacht from 14–21 November, with public events planned for Waterford, Dublin and Dún Laoghaire.

Ocean Challenge: The new Clipper RX yacht represents the next generation of the round-the-world fleet, with amateur crews undergoing intensive training before tackling some of the world's most demanding ocean passages. Photo: Sunayana Vinay

From Family Sailing to Atlantic Adventure

Twohig first became involved in sailing when his children's sailing clubs needed an extra pair of hands. “I had no idea what I was doing at first,” he admitted.

What began as an opportunity to help developed into a growing enthusiasm for sailing. Mediterranean cruising holidays followed, but Twohig wanted to experience something more demanding.

After watching the Clipper Race documentary No Going Back, he signed up for the first two legs of the next race.

“I've always wanted to cross the Atlantic, but I never trusted myself to do it on my own. So, I figured learning on a boat where you would be properly trained to do it was my answer,” he said.

Atlantic Ambition: Dublin sailor Barry Twohig, 59, has completed his first two stages of Clipper Race training ahead of a 10,000-nautical-mile adventure involving two Atlantic crossings to South America and South Africa. Photo: Clipper Race

“Now I'm getting closer to retirement; I take my wife away sailing. A month in Greece here and there where you don't want the high wind, but I need to get the adrenaline out of my system with the Clipper Race, and then I can enjoy doodling round Europe!”

Training for the Ocean

The Clipper Race is a 40,000-nautical-mile circumnavigation involving amateur crews who undergo compulsory training before racing aboard purpose-built ocean yachts.

Each team is led by a professional skipper and first mate, with crews facing potentially severe weather, prolonged periods at sea and a demanding round-the-clock watch system.

Twohig has completed the first two stages of his compulsory training and says the experience has reinforced his appetite for the challenge.

“No matter what you think you know, there's always something more to learn,” he said. “I'm buzzed to get going though, on our training we had one day with 20 knots, the boat was heeled and we were getting some speed and I thought, this is why I signed up.”

His participation will involve two Atlantic crossings, including the South Atlantic passage to South Africa.

New Clipper RX Yacht to Visit Three Irish Locations

The Clipper Race's Irish promotional tour, running from 14–21 November, will give prospective crew members and sailing enthusiasts an opportunity to explore one of the new-generation RX ocean racing yachts.

The yacht will visit Waterford, Dublin and Dún Laoghaire, with tours led by former Irish Clipper crew members and sailing professionals. Visitors can inspect the yacht above and below deck, including its navigation station, galley, sleeping accommodation and storage areas.

New Generation: The Clipper RX yacht introduces a new design for the 2027–28 round-the-world race, in which amateur crews, including Dublin sailor Barry Twohig, will tackle demanding ocean passages under professional guidance. Photo: Clipper Race

The programme is intended to give prospective participants an insight into life aboard an ocean racing yacht, where crews live and work together for weeks at a time, often in challenging conditions.

Previous sailing experience is not required to apply for the race, although all participants must complete the organiser's training programme.

For Twohig, the opportunity to undertake a major ocean passage with professional guidance has turned a longstanding ambition into a practical challenge. The Irish visit will give others a chance to explore whether they might follow a similar path.