Crew Stories | Thomas turns 18 in time to race around the world

One of the youngest members of Clipper Race crew getting ready to compete in this year’s edition is Thomas Roy, who will have turned 18 only a few months before Race Start.  

Thomas Roy, an A Level student from Southampton, is set to be one of the circumnavigators racing the full 40,000 nautical miles around the globe when the 2025-26 edition gets underway this summer. For Thomas, there’s a big driving force behind his decision to take part, as he explains: “I lost my mum five years ago, and I had some inheritance which I wanted to put towards something meaningful. 

“My dad came home one day with a Clipper Race brochure and asked if it seemed like the sort of thing I would want to do and straight away I said yeah...it does! My mum sailed her whole life so I thought it would be something that she'd be happy with too.” 

For Thomas, this gap year circumnavigation will build on his existing sailing skills; having sailed for as long as he can remember on dinghies and yachts and completing cross Channel trips on his family’s yacht. He says: “I have sailed for as long as I remember but I’ve not crossed an ocean, so that’s an unknown...but that’s the exciting bit!” 

Still, the Clipper Race training is challenging, even with a strong sailing background. Speaking after completing his second of four mandatory training weeks, he said: “I’m going to have a good night of sleep tonight!” He added: “I've really enjoyed the training weeks, and I think they are very good. It was fun to be on the water and get settled into the watch system.” 

When it comes to the race route, Thomas is looking forward to seeing the world just as much as the journey there: "I haven't really done that much travelling before, so this will be a good opportunity to see loads of new places and obviously the sailing in between is going to be great because that's what I love doing.” 

Although Thomas’ place at university will be awaiting him on return, there could be a career at sea ahead. He said: “I was speaking to Cam [a former Clipper Race crew member and First Mate] because he did the race at my age and then he went on to do it as a mate.  I think that's something that I would look to do.” 

With the Crew Allocation event over, where Thomas discovered he would be racing as part of Team Lou (the team lead by Skipper Lou Boorman and First Mate Brian Uniacke), there is just the task of finishing off his A Levels before his focus can shift to racing around the world. He says: “I don't think it's quite set in how close it is yet because I've still got to do my A levels. So that's at the forefront right now. And then I think as soon as they're done, it's going to be a bit like... oh my god, I've got two months to go!” 

Inspired by Thomas’ story? There’s still time to get racing for this 2025-26 edition with some limited availability remaining. Head to the application page of the website to find out more, download an information pack or apply – and you could be lining up to embark on the race of your life.