A TEAM of sailors racing around the world, led by Haverfordwest-born Skipper Lou Boorman and representing the city of Tongyeong, has won the stage into its home Korean port.

On March 16 the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race teams arrived into Tongyeong. Team Tongyeong, led by Welsh Skipper Lou Boorman, took the top of the podium, making history as this is the first time a round the world yacht race has ever stopped in Korea, and it was won by a Korean Team Entry.

Speaking from on board her team’s yacht at the close of Stage 8: Sprint to Gyeongnam, Lou said: “We did it, we performed under the pressure! To get a win, into our Home Port, I can die happy!”

Team Tongyeong in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race
Team Tongyeong in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race (Clipper Ventures)

A true test of physical and mental endurance, the Clipper Race is the only event of its kind to train people from all walks of life to become ocean racers.

Sailing Clipper Team Tongyeong
Over 40% of Clipper Race crew had never sailed before signing up, with each participant undergoing four stages of intensive training before choosing to compete in one or multiple stages, with 90 out of the 600 plus crew taking on the full circumnavigation. (Clipper Ventures)

The winner of each stage receives 10 race points – with every team having an opportunity to double its points by playing a Joker. Team Tongyeong took a gamble on Stage 8: Sprint to Gyeongnam and played its Joker – and this paid off big time for the team.

At just 23 years of age, competitive sailing is well and truly in Lou’s blood, having clinched the British, Ireland and Welsh Female Champion title before taking on the role of Clipper Race skipper. After a taste of success on Stage 7 of the race, where the team took the top spot and its first podium of the edition, Lou and her First Mate, Brian Uniacke were eager for more.

First Mate Brian Uniacke and Skipper Lou Boorman
First Mate Brian Uniacke and Skipper Lou Boorman (Clipper Ventures)

Surrounded by her team and halfway through her circumnavigation, Lou said as she sailed into port: “I could not have wished for anything better; I am over the moon. We’ve worked really hard and put a lot of pressure on ourselves… I’m very proud of the team.”

“We have such a great crew on board for Leg 6. Now with two wins behind us it’s the best feeling ever to move forward, everyone is so happy to be here.

Team Tongyeong Skipper Lou said she was “over the moon”.
Skipper Lou said she was “over the moon”. (Clipper Ventures)

“I knew that the people management aspect would be a huge part of it alongside the sailing,” she added. “And sometimes the sailing does come second to the people because they are the important ones, they’re the ones that sail the boat, that suffer, and that go through these massive ranges of emotions. To lead them through that is one of the toughest things I’ve ever done, but it’s one of the most rewarding things too.”

Lou Boorman: “I feel free and at my happiest at sea.” Team Tongyeong Clipper Race
On this edition, the race has so far stopped in Puerto Sherry (Spain), Punta del Este (Uruguay), Cape Town (South Africa), Fremantle and Airlie Beach (Australia), Subic Bay (Philippines), Qingdao (China), and has now arrived into Tongyeong City (Korea). (Clipper Ventures)

Talking about life at sea, Lou added: “My favourite thing about sailing is the magic of the sea, the stars, the storms and mostly the remoteness and the environment it provides for the most profound realisations and conversations. I feel free and at my happiest at sea.”

Lou Boorman spoke of the attraction of the sea: the stars, the storms and the remoteness.
The challenge sees ten teams make six ocean crossings, facing everything Mother Nature throws at them from sub-zero temperatures in the North Pacific Ocean to blistering heat at the Equator. (Clipper Ventures)

The event, which takes 11 months and 40,000 nautical miles to complete in its entirety, will stop in Tongyeong for the next week to enjoy cultural activities, tours, food, drink and entertainment laid on by the city of Tongyeong and Province of Gyeongnam.

Han Kim, Team Tongyeong Clipper Round the World Race 25-26
One of the sailors on board, Han Kim, was ecstatic: ‘’I’ve been working on getting the Clipper Race to come to Korea for over 10 years… but this moment… that’s even better!" (Clipper Ventures)
“Sometimes the sailing does come second to the people because they are the important ones, they’re the ones that sail the boat, that suffer, and that go through these massive ranges of emotions.” Lou Boorman, Skipper, Team Tongyeong
“Sometimes the sailing does come second to the people because they are the important ones, they’re the ones that sail the boat, that suffer, and that go through these massive ranges of emotions.” Lou Boorman, Skipper, Team Tongyeong (Clipper Ventures)

The race will then cross the North Pacific Ocean bound for Seattle (USA), Panama, Washington, DC (USA) and Oban (UK) before returning to Portsmouth (UK) this July, having completed the 40,000nm lap of the globe.

Team Tongyeong, which is led by Welsh Skipper Lou Boorman, took the top of the podium, making history as this is the first time a round the world yacht race has ever stopped in Korea, and it was won by a Korean Team Entry.
Team Tongyeong, which is led by Welsh Skipper Lou Boorman, took the top of the podium, making history as this is the first time a round the world yacht race has ever stopped in Korea, and it was won by a Korean Team Entry. (Clipper Ventures)