Sir Robin Knox-Johnston's Clipper Race has launched funded sailing programmes for young people affected by the COVID-19 lockdown

 Young people who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns are being offered funded sailing programmes to help them develop self-confidence and self-esteem.

The Clipper Race has partnered with Our Isles and Oceans campaign on the project.

It is open to those aged between 18-35 from across the UK.

Up to 50 successful candidates will take part in a funded sailing course along the west coast of Scotland this summer, on board an Our Isles and Oceans branded 68ft Clipper Race training yacht.

10 of the new recruits will be given the chance to be allocated a funded place for a leg of the 2023-24 Clipper Race

Under the guidance of a Clipper Race training skipper, each group of young people will be challenged to learn new practical skills, develop their self belief and work as a team.

In addition, 10 of these recruits will then be offered the opportunity to apply for an additional four weeks of intensive ocean racing training to be held at the Clipper Race Training HQ in Gosport, Hampshire.

If successful, they would receive a funded place on board the 70ft Our Isles and Oceans team entry, which will be competing in the 2023-24 Clipper Race.

Each recruit would complete one leg of the Clipper Race circumnavigation

The co-founder of the Clipper Race, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston said he hoped the programme would make a positive change in the successful candidates’ lives.

‘Sailing is so much more than just a sport or pastime as it gives you experience that is as useful in the workplace as it is on board a yacht. The sport develops self-confidence and self-esteem which is so important to restore following the pandemic,’ he said.