Canadian Skipper & Yacht at Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

Sixteen Canadians to join Toronto skipper Diane Reid for world’s longest ocean adventure.  

The first Canadian female skipper in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has been revealed as the skipper of Canadian-sponsored yacht entry ClipperTelemed+™ as she met her international crew members for the first time at the mass Crew Allocation day in Portsmouth, UK.

Joining Toronto skipper Diane Reid, pictured 4th from right in main crew image, on board for this unique adventure are crew members from all over the world including Australia, Italy, USA, UK and 16 from her home nation of Canada; including Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg and Montreal. (Full crew list in Notes to Eds) 

After meeting her team for the first time at the Crew Allocation day in Portsmouth, UK, Diane said: “We have a great mix of nationalities, skills and ages on ClipperTelemed+™ so there is lots to talk about as we get to know each other.

“It is great to meet all of the crew and start to draw up our strategies and goals for the race.  Having coached a lot of people to sail before, I think we’re going to have a blast – racing fast and having a lot of fun along the way.  It’s amazing to be skippering the Canadian boat ClipperTelemed+™.  She’s all branded up and ready to go so I can’t wait to get my crew on and get cracking.”

The Team Sponsor ClipperTelemed+™ is a telemedicine business, a new joint venture between Clipper Ventures Plc and the Clipper Race’s Global Medical Emergency Support Partner, PRAXES Medical Group.

ClipperTelemed+™ is based in Halifax, NS, and provides fast emergency and general medical support from PRAXES physicians based in Canada, to all seafarers, no matter how remote their location. It will also provide custom medical kits and equipment as part of a complete remote marine medical support service.

Tom Bettle, Business Development Manager for ClipperTelemed+™ commented: “Diane’s enthusiasm and professionalism means that not only will she be an excellent skipper for her crew, but also a great ambassador for the ClipperTelemed+™ brand around the world

“It is great to see the Canadian thread running through the crew but equally as important for us is having so many different nationalities on board because we want the world to take notice of ClipperTelemed+™ and discover how beneficial our services are for all vessels at sea. I wish all the crew good luck and good times on their adventure.”

The Clipper Race is a unique event being the only one of its kind to give amateur sailors the chance to sail around the world.  It was founded by legendary yachtsman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston who, in 1969, became the first man to sail solo and non-stop around the world.

During the last race edition in 2013-14, Vancouver’s Eric Holden, the event’s first ever Canadian skipper, led the Henri Lloyd team to victory, for which he was named Rolex Sailor of the Year at the 2014 Sail Canada Awards.

Now preparing for its tenth edition, the 2015-16 edition will feature more than 650 crew from more than 40 different countries, of all ages (18+) and walks of life, regardless of previous sailing experience. Crew are bonded by their shared desire to step outside of their comfort zone and do something truly extraordinary by taking on one of Mother Nature’s greatest challenges.

Diane and her ClipperTelemed+™ crew will start their race alongside eleven other Clipper Race team entries in London on Sunday, August 30. The circumnavigation will take almost twelve months to complete.