A high-flying commercial lawyer from one of Wales’ leading legal firms will be swapping her suit and office desk for a life jacket and 68-foot yacht as she embarks on a gruelling 35,000 mile race across the World’s oceans.



 

Sian Reynolds, 25, has been selected to take part in the daunting Clipper Round the World Yacht Challenge, as part of a 17-strong crew. They will set sail with nine other vessels in September and spend up to 10 months at sea, facing some of the most hostile conditions on earth.

The race was set up in 1995 by legendary sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston to enable amateur sailors undertake the ultimate maritime endurance test.

Sian from Penarth is pursuing the challenge with the blessing of her employers Harding Evans Solicitors, who have readily agreed to a year’s sabbatical that will allow the determined young lawyer to fulfil her dream.

Sian, who has been a member and captain of the Welsh National sailing squad, explained that, although she has been forging ahead in her legal career, the urge to undertake this global challenge became overwhelming and she could no longer ignore it.

“I think the call of the sea is in the family because my grandparents and parents are all sailors. I have an incredible passion for sailing that is extremely intense. I thought with age, sense would prevail and my passion for sailing would subside, but the attraction of the sea is not choice you make, it is something that just gets you.” she said.

From her earliest years she and her brother Huw, who is now a Royal Navy helicopter pilot, were taught to sail by their parents and learnt to race at Penarth Yacht Club. Both children progressed to being selected for the Welsh National Sailing Team which resulted in them competing at national and international sailing competitions.

Sian has had extensive sailing experience, which resulted in her gaining a scholarship at university and she has won numerous national and international sailing competitions. As a result Sian now feels ready to undertake what many regard as one of the toughest sailing competitions of all.

“It will be very testing physically and mentally. There are inherent dangers involved in this race that you can not hide away from. Should anything go wrong in the middle of an ocean that we can’t resolve, we will be days away from external assistance. However, I am aware of the dangers but it is something I have got to do. I’ve dreamt about racing in the Southern Ocean for years, but now I get to dream with my eyes open,” she said.

She added: “I’ve worked at Harding Evans for four years now and they have been very understanding and supportive of my ambition to take on this challenge. There is no way I could take part in the race without their support.”

Her boss Mike Jenkins, the firm’s head of commercial property applauded Sian’s spirit and courage. “Her tenacity and thoroughness as a sailor are also evident in her work as a lawyer, and we are delighted to have someone like Sian on the team. We could see how determined she was to take this challenge so we’re right behind her.”

Over the coming months Sian will be busy training for the Clipper race and pursuing the daunting task of raising sponsorship to cover the cost.

From the total of 170 sailors who will compete in the challenge, Sian has been chosen along with two competitors from other crews as The Face of Clipper 07. That means her face will be seen in advertisements and promotional material across the world.