Interview with Darren Ladd and Zanele Mweni at the Clipper Race start
by Mark Jardine 4 Sep 2015 15:58 BST
4 September 2015
Darren Ladd, skipper of Ichorcoal, ahead of the Clipper Race departure from St Katharine Docks, London © Mark Jardine
We caught up with Darren Ladd, skipper of IchorCoal, just before the start of the 2015-2016 Clipper Round The World Yacht Race, at St Katharine Docks in London.
Mark Jardine: Darren, you're just about head out for the first leg of the Clipper Race, and the parade of sail beforehand, what are your feelings having got to this point, having got your crew ready for the race?
Darren Ladd: Well, it's almost relief. It's been so long in the making. We've had months of preparation, months of training. The last few weeks have been really hectic, bringing the boat together and fixing those last minute things. My first sort of benchmark was to get to the race start, and here we are. So I'm really relieved and can't wait to get going.
Mark Jardine: What is your background in sailing, and how did you join Clipper Ventures in the first place, and make your way through to become a race skipper?
Darren Ladd: I was working as a freelance sailing instructor in the Solent, and it's a very 'incestuous' business amongst all the sailing schools. A lot of the people I worked with at Cowes were ex-race skippers. So I started to become interested in what that was all about. I heard they were looking for trainee mates, which is the first step on the ladder. I thought I would give it a go. I started working as a trainee mate, and after my first course, I asked the guy in charge what I needed to do to become a race skipper. He said I'd need to sail a few oceans, that sort of thing. I went off and did all the things I was told to do, and three years later, after doing multiple courses, I applied for the job when I felt I was ready. I was lucky to get a place. It was very exciting. It's been quite hard work and a long time coming.
Mark Jardine: You've got a number of people from the Sapinda Rainbow Foundation sailing with you, many who have never been to sea at all beforehand. How do you bring them from that sort of background, without any kind of knowledge of the sea, to be a crew member on your yacht?
Darren Ladd: Well they go through the same training as everyone else. We do have all kinds of people with no previous experience. With these guys especially, they are very keen to learn, they love the whole process, it's a very big difference compared to their normal life. I think they are embracing the opportunity they have been given. I did a level 4 with all the Sapinda guys together, which was very interesting. Throughout the race we will have least one of the group on board all the time. We've briefed the team; they've got to include everybody. Everybody on board is part of the team. They are great fun, they are lovely to be around. They are lovely people and it's an honour to have the opportunity to take them with us.
Mark Jardine: Whilst it's a once-a-lifetime experience for everybody, it's also a race. What are your aspirations for the racing part of it?
Darren Ladd: Well I don't want to jinx anything. We're all on the same page really. We've talked a lot about it. Obviously the safety of our crew is the main concern, because we're not all expert sailors. After that we want to enjoy ourselves, that's the next important thing. Then really just go for it on the racing front. We've got no really complicated tactics. We're going to chase down the boat ahead of us. And we're going to do it enjoying every step of the way. We're a pretty relaxed bunch, but we're going to go for it!
Mark Jardine: You're going to be visiting some stunning areas of the world. Is there one place in particular you are most looking forward to visiting?
Darren Ladd: Well it has to be Cape Town really. I'm a big fan; I spent seven months working out there a few years back, teaching sailing. Of course it's our home port. To see Table Mountain, to be doing well at that point would be fantastic.
Mark Jardine: Best of luck for the race, a safe journey to you, and a successful one.
Darren Ladd: Cheers, thank you.
We next spoke to Zanele Mweni, selected by the Sapinda Rainbow Foundation to sail on IchorCoal for the first leg of the Clipper Race.
Mark Jardine: Zanele, you're just about to compete in the Clipper Race. How did you get involved to begin with, to get to your place upon the yacht?
Zanele Mweni: Last year a representative from Sapinda Rainbow Foundation came to my school and explained about the sailing thing. I got interested then, and I filled in a form to apply, and went through the selection process in Durban. We were interviewed, and went to the boats, they taught us how to drive. I was so happy and interested. Then I got selected.
Mark Jardine: What do your friends and family back at home think about you, ready to go off around the world in this race?
Zanele Mweni: Oh, my friends can't believe it. To be overseas! My parents are so proud of me. They are very excited about this.
Mark Jardine: We're just about to start the parade of sail, going under Tower Bridge and through London. What are your feelings, with this about to happen?
Zanele Mweni: Oh wow, I am very excited. All along I haven't been feeling nervous, but now...there is a little bit of nerves in there. I'm very happy I'm going to be crossing the equator too.
Mark Jardine: Apart from crossing the equator, an huge moment for any sailor, what are you most looking forward to?
Zanele Mweni: It will be my life-changing experience. I'm looking forward to it. I will be with people of different backgrounds. Even my level of communication will greatly improve.
Mark Jardine: There's always a bit of trepidation, a bit of fear, before you go out in any race - even for experienced sailors - which things are you most nervous about?
Zanele Mweni: Seasickness. I really don't like to be seasick. That will be the most challenging thing. And I won't be able to have a bath for thirty days!
Mark Jardine: Literally, everyone else is in the same boat! That's not a problem. I'd like to wish you the best of luck for this race and I hope you enjoy crossing the equator.
Zanele Mweni: Yes! I hope I will work hard, play hard.
Mark Jardine: I'm sure you will enjoy it immensely. Thank you for your time.
Zanele Mweni: Thank you.
Find out more at sapindarainbow.com and
www.clipperroundtheworld.com