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Greenwich Sailor Checks Off His Bucket List & Heads For High Seas

GREENWICH, Conn. -- Greenwich resident Benoit Ansart is about to fulfill one of his longtime bucket list items by sailing around the world.

Greenwich sailor Benoit Ansart is originally from Paris.

Greenwich sailor Benoit Ansart is originally from Paris.

Photo Credit: Submitted

The trip, part of the Clipper Race, one of yachting's most unique global challenges, leaves Aug. 20 from Liverpool England. The first leg goes to Uruguay before continuing on a record breaking 40,000 nautical mile race which pits 12 70-foot ocean racing yachts against each other.

Ansart will be with a crew of 20 including a professional skipper. The race is divided into eight legs with 13 individual races going from Liverpool, Uruguay, South Africa, Australia, China, Seattle, Panama, New York, Ireland and back to Liverpool.

The first Clipper race started in 1996 and it is now in its 10th edition, occurring every other year.

The lifelong sailor will be on Team Sanya Serenity Coasts and said he's most looking forward to sailing through the Southern oceans. He's also excited about participating at the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race which will be a part of Leg 4.

He expects the most challenging part of the trip to be Leg 6, from Qingdao in Northern China to Seattle, a total of 5,700 miles. 

"We will cross the North Pacific in early spring of next year with strong winds and cold temperatures; that’s going to be very difficult and long," said Ansart.

"I will be definitely looking for a good/strong espresso when in Seattle, as well as a couple of beers shortly then after."

Mostly, though, he's excited about the adventure -- and winning.

"As many know, I'm a competitive sailor and so my primary goal is for Sanya to finish first. I believe that my team will be very competitive: our Skipper Wendy Tuck is one of the most experienced skippers of the race and has the competitive knack."

Go to www.clipperroundtheworld.com for more information.

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