A summer of success for women in sport continues after three Perthshire women returned to the UK after completing two stages of a 40,000-mile round-the-world yacht race.
Mother and daughter duo Melanie and Jasmine Morris were two of 65 non-professional female sailors returning to London last weekend after spending over 50 days at sea overall, enduring fierce waves and turbulent weather.
They raced during the fifth and eighth (final) stages of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race’s global route.
The duo raced together on board the WTC Logistics team yacht, 6300 miles from the east coast of Australia to Zhuhai, China, before later embarking on a 4400-mile sail across the Atlantic from Bermuda to England via Ireland and the North Sea.
The astounding achievement was made even more special to mark Melanie’s 60th and Jasmine’s 30th birthdays - and Melanie’s recovery from breast cancer.
The Fair City’s Sara McBride was also one of the 65 women who raced into London on July 30, completing the final leg of the race as part of the Seattle team.
Speaking about the experience, Jasmine said: “To do the experience full stop is amazing but having mum there and experiencing everything together was so special.
“It’s so nice we got to share that. I’m so proud of both of us.”
The Clipper event is the only event of its kind to train everyday people to race around the world.
After racing over 40,000 nautical miles around the world the Clipper Race fleet of 11 70ft racing yachts, carrying over 150 race crew, also celebrated completing the epic circumnavigation at London’s Royal Docks.
Reflecting on her highlights Melanie said: “We’ve had so much personal growth - a highlight for me was seeing the stars with no light pollution and the wildlife was amazing!
“It has always been my dream to cross the Atlantic and to do so in record speeds was exhilarating - we were like excited kids on board and to do it in a safe and supportive way with the Clipper Race was awesome.”
The Clipper Race’s global route is divided into eight legs and people from all walks of life can choose to sign up for any combination of legs.
Of those who signed up to complete all eight legs, racing all the way around the world, 39 per cent were female, with ages ranging from 19-75.
The multinational crew came from all walks of life - this edition saw teachers race alongside chiropractors, students and interior designers.
Applications for the 2023-24 race are open now via the Clipper Race website.
