My dream…

Written November 1, 2006 in Personal

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NO IDEA how to sail? No problem.

Uniquely Singapore still wants you for its 56,237-km journey in the Clipper 2007-08 Round the World Yacht Race.

The 68-foot yacht requires 17 crew and one professional skipper.

But more members will be recruited. Some join the entire 10-month event, while others sail only a part of the seven-leg, 13-race competition.

Operations director Colin de Mowbray, whose company Clipper Ventures runs the race, said: ‘We are looking for people who have got a bit of spark, who have the spirit and commitment to see the race through.’

Uniquely Singapore, backed by main sponsor Keppel Corporation and race partner Singapore Tourism Board, will be competing for the second time.

In the 2005-06 edition, which ended in July, it finished fifth of 10 boats.

Dental surgeon Susan Tai, 38, who had no prior sailing experience, put her practice on hold for 10 months to make the trip.

‘The race is not a one-man show,’ she said. ‘The selectors want to see if you can communicate and work with people. Experience and fitness is secondary.’

The catch?

Crew members need to be at least 18 years of age and certified medically fit and healthy.

They must also fork out £27,000 ($80,208) for the entire race, and £2,950 for the compulsory 19-day pre-race training.

The amount, though, is lower if the participant intends to race only certain legs.

Clipper 07-08, the sixth edition of the race, will set sail from Liverpool in September.

Along the way, the Dubois 68 yachts take in port visits to Brazil, Panama, South Africa, Singapore and China, before returning to Liverpool the following summer.

Clipper Ventures will hold its first recruitment talk at Keppel Bay Towers tomorrow at 7pm.