First time sailor makes it around the globe

7:12pm Monday 8th October 2001

A KINGS Langley man, whose only previous sailing experience were boat trips as a child at Yorkshire seaside town Bridlington has completed a round the world yacht race.

Mr Peter McGrath from Gypsey Lane, Kings Langley, made the final leg home on Wednesday, September 26, after a year at sea in a 60ft yacht.

He was taking part in a 16 leg race against seven other crews made up of amateur volunteers, apart from the skippers, in Times sponsored event, The Times Clipper 2000.

Mr McGrath, 59, a retired London Electricity project manager, who has recently moved from Chipperfield said although his yacht, Leeds, came last but one, and he suffered terrible sea-sickness, he had learnt from the trip.

In the bay of Tokyo, along with the other amateur members of the crew he braved 65 knot winds.

Four of the boats were damaged, and his craft lost its main sail, when the sliders - which attach the sail to the mast - snapped, forcing them back to Japan for repairs.

"Quite a few times I thought I would pack it in, especially with the sea-sickness, but I thought I would take the next leg and see."

* For the full story, see The Watford Observer of Friday, October 12.