OFFICIAL STATEMENT - 1 APRIL 2016
We are deeply saddened to report the death of crew member
Sarah Young (40), a company owner from London. Sarah was one of the crew aboard
the IchorCoal boat (CV21). Next of kin have been informed and all our
thoughts are now with Sarah’s family, teammates, and loved ones on and off the
race.
Skipper Darren Ladd reports that Sarah was tidying the cockpit after reefing
the mainsail in 35 - 40 knots of wind, when she was knocked from her position
by a wave. She fell back toward the guard wire and was swept under it by
another wave at 1127 UTC (2227 local). She was not tethered onto the yacht at
this time and was swept away in strong winds.
The boat immediately applied its man overboard drill but was hampered by the
conditions and lack of direct visual. Her body was recovered on board using her
AIS signal at 1244 UTC (2344 local), and although resuscitation was attempted
and telephone assistance provided by the Praxes Medical Group Doctors, the
Clipper Race’s remote telemedicine support service, she never regained
consciousness. The cause of death is yet to be confirmed but is suspected as
drowning or exposure. All other crew are reported safe and well and the team
are working with Race Officials to evaluate the options on diversion or
continuing to Seattle.
The incident happened on day 12 of the ninth race in the 14-stage Clipper Round
the World Yacht Race, at 39 North, 160 East, approaching the International Date
Line. This current race takes crew across the Pacific Ocean from Qingdao,
China, to Seattle, USA and has over 3,242 miles left to its destination.
Sarah was the owner of a personal lifestyle company providing services for
private high net worth individuals. A keen adventurer, the Clipper Race had
been an ambition of hers for some years, and she said celebrating her 40th
birthday just before setting sail from London was the perfect way to start her
adventure.
Prior to the Clipper Race she had done other expeditions
including spending a year in Sabah, northern Borneo, working for Raleigh
Malaysia. Sarah had also led teams in Zambia, Botswana and Namibia, had been
mountaineering in Nepal and did a world-first 18 day trek down the Skeleton
Coast unsupported. Sarah had also run a marathon and was a Divemaster. She
leaves a partner but no children.
Sarah was one of the round the world crew and aside from missing a couple of
races in Australia due to the passing of her Mother, she had sailed more than
half the way round the world, with 20,000 nautical miles of racing under her
belt between London and China, where the yacht left on March 21.
A full investigation will now be carried out, as is standard practice, into the
full details of the incident in cooperation with the appropriate authorities.
Race Officials are now supporting the Skipper and the crew through this tragic
ordeal.
Clipper Race Founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston stated: “On behalf of everyone at Clipper Ventures, I am deeply saddened by the loss of Sarah. She was a very popular and integral member of the Clipper Race family and knew our boats well, having sailed with us since London last summer. The safety of our crew has always been and continues to be our main priority and we shall investigate the incident immediately in full cooperation with the authorities.”
The Clipper Race was established almost 20 years ago and this is its tenth edition. This is the second fatality in the history of the race. Over 4,000 amateur crew have been trained and participated in previous races. Nearly 700 crew are participating in the 2015-16 edition which left London at the end of August, and will return there on 30 July 2016.