​ICHORCOAL UPDATE

Following the arrival of IchorCoal into Seattle last night (local time), Clipper Race chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and skipper Darren Ladd have met with the team this morning to cover the plans for the stopover, the plans for the memorial and to announce the Skipper who will take over for the remainder of the race to London.

The new skipper will be Cheshire, UK-born Richard Gould, 29, who is well aware of the dynamics of the Clipper Race having trained our crew since the 2009-10 race and being a Skipper in the 2013-14 edition. The former watersports instructor led his South African-sponsored team to three podium finishes. His team included the first generation of Sapinda Rainbow ambassadors so he is also very familiar with that programme.

Rich will join the team on 25 April and will be in Seattle alongside Darren who will return to the Clipper Race office in the UK after the stopover, where he will complete his contract with the company, after making the difficult decision to step down.

Image: Rich Gould

It was also confirmed that a memorial service will take place in Seattle on Thursday 21 April to allow crew and supporters to pay respects to Sarah Young in a ‘celebration of her life’.

The ceremony will take place at 1000 local time (1700UTC/1800BST) at the Conference Centre by the Race Village. Darren and members of the crew will be joined by the Mission to Seafarers to pay tribute to Sarah’s adventurous spirit with music, song and a selection of readings. The ceremony will be available to view live via the Clipper Race Periscope channel in a private feed to enable crew, friends and family to follow the ceremony. Registration instructions have been issued by email*

We have created a book of condolence to share messages with Sarah’s loved ones; all messages will be gathered via the email address: [email protected]

Please email your message with your full name, race edition and legs of the race you are participating in.

* Please note the memorial service in Seattle is not a public event and is only open to Clipper Race crew and their friends and family.