A former Colchester Sixth Form College student has become the first woman to captain a Clipper yacht in a round-the-world race
Samantha Fuller, 25, will leave Liverpool on October 27 in charge of the 60ft clipper New York and return to the port 11 months later.
Samantha, whose parents, Paul and Anne live on Cowdray Avenue, said there was "no reason" why New York could not win Clipper 2002, the world's longest round-the-world yacht race.
Speaking from Falmouth, where the New York has been trapped by bad weather, Samantha said: "We are up against seven other boats and we have as good a chance as any.
"The funny thing is, I don't know what the prize is I am doing this for the race itself."
Samantha's parents today said they were "very proud" of their daughter.
Mr Fuller said: "She has worked very hard to get to skipper this boat. She has come through all the training and has done very well to achieve this."
Samantha, who was a pupil at North County Primary School and St Helena School, has already sailed the Atlantic. She took part in the ARC (Atlantic Rally for Cruisers) Race in 2000.
More in today's Evening Gazette.
Published Wednesday October 16, 2002
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