Pembrokeshire skipper returns home after leading amateur crew around the world

A skipper from Pembrokeshire has returned home after leading an amateur crew on an epic 40,000-nautical-mile race around the world.

Haverfordwest's Lou Boorman completed the eleven-month Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, arriving back in Portsmouth Harbour where the fleet first set sail in August 2025. Emotional scenes unfolded at Gunwharf Quays Marina as crews were reunited with family and friends after almost a year at sea.

Leading Team Tongyeong around the globe

Boorman skippered Team Tongyeong throughout the race, guiding a crew made up largely of non-professional sailors through one of the world's toughest endurance challenges.

Speaking after crossing the finish line, she said:

"What a welcome! It's really weird. I can't really put words to how I feel, it hasn't sunk in yet. The welcome was amazing - the boats, the fireworks! I am so so proud of the crew and what a special way to celebrate for them - we have raced around the world.

"I've not taken stock yet, I've not let myself accept it yet but I am really proud of the crew. I couldn't be prouder to be their skipper."

Pride in the crew

While Team Tongyeong celebrated a memorable victory in its home port of Tongyeong, South Korea, Boorman said seeing her crew develop over the course of the race was the greatest achievement.

She added:

"The crew, the way they have improved, the crew who went the full way around the world have really developed and I can trust them with my life."

An extraordinary challenge

Unlike most round-the-world sailing races, the Clipper Race is open to everyday people rather than professional sailors. Around 40 per cent of participants begin with no previous sailing experience before completing intensive training and joining one or more of the race's eight legs.

During the race, crews crossed the Equator twice, completed six ocean crossings and endured storm-force winds, towering waves, lightning storms, intense heat and freezing temperatures. Racing continued around the clock using rotating watch systems, with crews often spending up to a month at sea without stepping ashore.

About the Clipper Race

Founded by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo and non-stop around the world, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is the only event of its kind that trains people from all walks of life to become ocean racers.

Participants include teachers, engineers, doctors, farmers, students and retirees, with many finishing the race having logged more offshore sailing miles than most professional sailors accumulate during their careers.

Fellow Welsh skipper celebrates success

Also returning to Portsmouth was fellow Welsh skipper Gav Rees, originally from Abergavenny, who led Team London Business School to second place overall after a dramatic final race from Oban to the south coast.

Looking ahead

Applications are now open for the next edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, which will begin from the UK in summer 2027.