Crew Stories | Christian Appel set to take on Mighty Pacific

Name: Christian Appel Location: Bremen, North Germany Nationality: German Occupation: Engineer and projection planner, 3D printing Legs: 6

Each of the eight Clipper Race legs comes with its own unique set of physical and mental challenges. From freezing cold to extreme heat, wind holes to hurricane strength winds, and everything in between, this is a challenge with something for everyone. 

Leg 6: The Mighty Pacific Leg is also known as ‘the big one’ thanks to its extreme conditions and remoteness. The Clipper Race is the only round the world event to cover the vast North Pacific Ocean and, at times, the nearest human beings to the Clipper Race crews are astronauts in the International Space Station. 

For Christian, a 3D printing engineer from Bremen, Germany, it was a challenge he couldn't resist. He said: “I chose Leg 6 as I thought it sounded like the biggest challenge and if I’m going to sail across an ocean, I wanted it to be a tough one! “

Whilst around 30 percent of Clipper Race Crew have no previous sailing experience, Christian will be building upon a lifetime of sailing experience when he joins his team next year. He explains: “I grew up sailing with my parents and when I was 16 I got my sailing licence.

“I’ve always wanted to sail across an ocean and racing seemed a pretty cool way to do it, and so I found the Clipper Race from a friend and I’ve read about it. I just needed to wait until I’d saved up for it and here we are.”

All Race Crew, regardless of experience, must successfully complete all four levels of compulsory Clipper Race training before they compete. In addition to essential sailing and safety training, it gives future crew the opportunity to get used to living on board and forming bonds with teammates. On completion of his Level 2 training week, Christian said: “The crew were great and everyone was looking out for each other which is always a nice feeling. It’s impressive how quickly you become close with strangers!”

When it comes to the white-knuckle Mighty Pacific Leg, the ultimate test of physical endurance and mental fortitude, Christian cannot wait to experience it all first hand. Talking about Leg 6, he says: “I am looking forward to a bit of rough weather! The race, the sailing at speed - I think it’s going to be good fun!”

If, like Christian, a thrill-seeking adrenaline-filled leg of the Clipper Race sounds like the perfect adventure, there’s still time to sign up for this year’s edition which starts on 31 August from Portsmouth, UK. To find out more, download an information pack or sign up head to the application page.