Fareham doctor gets on board for transatlantic yacht race

A DOCTOR will hit the high seas in a yacht race across the Atlantic Ocean.
Nic AllenNic Allen
Nic Allen

General practitioner Nic Allen, from Fareham, will be a watch leader in the 2016 Atlantic Rally for Cruisers.

More than 200 vessels are expected to participate in the 2,700-mile race, which will start in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria tomorrow.

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The 16-strong crew on Nic’s yacht, a Challenger 72, plan to arrive on the Caribbean island of St Lucia just over two weeks later.

Nic, who is originally from Sheffield, is currently on a 12-month sabbatical, during which he plans to give back to society through several volunteering roles.

Once he’s exercised his sea legs, he will work as an expedition medic in Costa Rica next year, on a three-month trip with youth charity Raleigh International.

He said: ‘I’m a youth mentor and putting effort into the development of young sailors is so worthwhile.

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‘Crossing the Atlantic is a priority to satisfy my passion for ocean racing.

‘I love the wall-to-wall night skies on an ocean passage with shooting stars every few minutes. It’s truly breathtaking.’

The 53-year-old will join fellow expert crew members Andrew Northall, Kirstie Rowe and Ricky Chalmers in leading a crew of 12 amateur sailors, who signed up through Southampton-based sailing specialists First Class Sailing.

Charlie Tulloch, principal of First Class Sailing, said: ‘Between Ricky, Kirstie, Andrew and Nic there is an extensive stock of sailing know-how and their combined experience in both ocean racing and sailing in general will be of great benefit to the 12 amateur sailors. They really are in good hands.’

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