City woman embracing round-the-world test

A PLYMOUTH woman in her fifties is set to sail around the world. Loveday Fethney said she 'loves adventure' but has admitted that she is 'terrified' The 58-year-old advanced clinical practitioner will tackle the Clipper Race circumnavigation in the 202526 edition. However, that wasn't always what she had planned.

- KIRSTIE MCCRUM

Originally, Loveday has been planning to take on just two legs of the eight-leg global sailing race. But after completing the first stage of her mandatory training, Loveday couldn't get enough.

Within 24 hours, she had signed up for the full circumnavigation.

Known as one of the biggest challenges of the natural world and an endurance test like no other, those who take on the Clipper Race need no previous sailing experience before taking on the record-breaking 40,000 nautical mile race around the world on a stripped-back 70-foot ocean racing yacht.

Divided into eight legs and up to 16 individual stages, just over 700 Race Crew representing over 50 nations and from all walks of life will, like Loveday, complete the full circumnavigation or select individual legs in the next edition.

Loveday will depart on this adventure in the late summer 2025, setting sail on the only race in the world where organisers supply a fleet of identical racing yachts, each with a fully qualified skipper and first mate to safely guide the crew.