Former Bradford pupil to join round-the-world yacht crew

Nathan Brown, 18, will fly to China, where he will board the Hull and Humber clipper as it races across the Pacific Ocean to San Francisco.

The former St Bede’s Catholic Grammar school pupil is one of just 15 young people chosen from about 300 as a Hull and Humber Ambassador taking part in the Clipper 09-10 Round The World Yacht Race.

Nathan, who grew up in Fairweather Green, Bradford, will spend a month-and-a-half crossing the open ocean after he flies to China on February 27.

“I’m getting quite excited now,” he said. “Its going to be cold out there, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

The Hull and Humber has had a tough time since it departed with nine other racing clippers from Hull in September.

One crew member fell overboard in the South Atlantic Ocean and had to be rescued by his fellow crewman.

The yacht was also accidentally hit by rival boat Cork, Ireland as it left the port in South Africa in windy weather, setting its journey back by two weeks.

Despite this, the 68ft bright orange yacht is in joint third place out of ten and Nathan said he’s not daunted by the next part of the journey.

He said: “I’ve never done anything like this before but I have had a few weeks’ training on the clipper, so it should be fine.”

After leaving college, Nathan joined Cat Zero, a training organisation, which helps young people who are not in employment, education or training.

The former media student, who left Bradford to live in Hull, went through a gruelling selection process before he was chosen as an ambassador.

He also took part in a fortnight sailing course as part of the programme, which is aimed at giving young people the confidence to find jobs.

As a result, he has now secured employment working in a hotel when he returns home.

Nathan said: “I did have a few problems when I left college and Cat Zero has helped me a lot. I’m looking forward to starting work.”