Please select your home edition
Edition
25 26 Leaderboard

Clipper Race: Dorset sailor turns 21 in one of the world's most remote oceans

by Clipper Race 27 Nov 2025 16:35 GMT
Lauren (pictured right) and Skipper Ella (left) with the Washington, DC crew © Clipper Race

Dorset sailor Lauren Corn celebrated her 21st birthday while racing across the notorious Roaring Forties and helping lead a crew of 20 adventurers around the globe.

Lauren is the First Mate on board the Washington, DC yacht, which is sailing 40,000 nautical miles as part of the Clipper 2025-26 Round the World Yacht Race. Working alongside Skipper Ella Hebron, also 21, the pair is one of three all-female leadership teams in this edition of the race - a first for the event.

Clipper Race: Dorset sailor turns 21 in one of the world's most remote oceans - photo © Clipper Race
Clipper Race: Dorset sailor turns 21 in one of the world's most remote oceans - photo © Clipper Race
Currently sailing through one of the world's most remote regions, the Southern Indian Ocean, Team Washington, DC is holding second place as it races towards Fremantle, Australia.

Speaking on her birthday yesterday (26 November), Lauren said: "What a unique place to spend your birthday in the Roaring Forties! My crew made it so nice for me and fully got on board with my request for fancy dress and carrot cake... which was absolutely delicious! When I came up for lunch, everyone was dressed up, which put a big smile on my face. It's certainly going to be one to remember - not somewhere I imagined I would be spending my 21st birthday, but I'm very happy about it, nonetheless.

"Racing wise, we've covered quite a few miles, and we're all really happy with our current position. My birthday started at 1am to the sound of the team putting in a reef, but luckily Skipper Ella was handling that, so I didn't have to - birthday good news."

Lauren, who hails from Poole, Dorset, comes from a family happiest on the water. She spent her early years dinghy sailing in local waters at Parkstone Sailing Club.

After taking a break from university, she qualified as a Yachtmaster in Australia, where she also discovered a passion for racing and spent time working as a sailing instructor. This summer, she returned to the Clipper Race Training HQ as a First Mate, helping lead Levels 1, 2 and 3 training courses.

Speaking about her role, Lauren said: "I want to be a Clipper Race First Mate because of the uniqueness the role offers. You meet a group of people who are specialists in their individual day jobs, but we have the opportunity to guide and lead everyone into a team of sailors. There's nothing else like that in the industry."

Track the fleet at clipperroundtheworld.geovoile.com/2025/tracker

Related Articles

Airline Pilot from Kiel wins Clipper Race Stage 9
Victory after 26 days sailing 5,500nm across the North Pacific Ocean Julia Heitmann, a 36-year-old airline pilot from Kiel, Germany, has arrived in Seattle, USA, after spending 26 days sailing 5,500nm (10,186 km) across the North Pacific Ocean in one of the most challenging legs of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Posted on 24 Apr Two things
The first time something occurs it's happenstance. Next is circumstance. The third is enemy action. So, there's an axiom that states, the first time something occurs it's happenstance. The next is circumstance, and the third is enemy action. Now on paper, and under that ruling, that makes this here Ed the latter. Hhhmmmm. Posted on 19 Apr Tesco car park dream turns to global race reality
Lake District teen's story is one of ambition, opportunity and speed William Wrigley, a 19 year old gap year student from St Bees, Lake District, has fast-tracked his way to ocean racer as he prepares to sail from Seattle, USA, back home to the UK in the final stages of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Posted on 16 Apr Clipper Race sailors set for the big one
Ocean racers gear up for relentless North Pacific Crossing This week, 200 adventurers have set sail from Tongyeong, Korea, with the next stop Seattle, USA, as they take on one of the most remote stretches of ocean on the planet: the North Pacific. Posted on 27 Mar 20 years in the making
Clipper Ventures opens first Sailing Academy in China Sailing industry leaders Clipper Ventures has this month opened its first ever RYA Sailing Academy in Qingdao, China, marking its first training centre outside of the UK. Posted on 18 Mar Clipper Race Stage 7 Video Review
An extraordinary welcome in Qingdao The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race arrived to a huge ceremony in Qingdao, China at the end of Stage 7. Posted on 12 Mar Hyde Sails selected to supply critical components
For next generation global ocean racing fleet Hyde Sails has been selected by the iconic Clipper Round the World Yacht Race to supply critical components for an innovative fourth-generation global ocean racing fleet. Posted on 26 Feb The World's Toughest Race?
Clipper Round the World Yacht Race Update after Stage 6 The Clipper Round the World Race is what many regard as true ocean racing. Exposed to the elements on deck in traditionally shaped displacement yachts. Posted on 20 Feb Wet, Wild and Wonderful Stopover in Airlie Beach
For the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet Airlie Beach and Coral Sea Marina once again proved their credentials as a world-class sailing destination, hosting a dynamic and highly successful stopover of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race amid challenging tropical conditions. Posted on 22 Jan Clipper RX Ocean Racing Yacht Video
We speak to Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and William Ward The fleet of yachts is currently under construction, and to find out more, I spoke to the legendary sailor and founder of the race, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, as well as the Clipper Ventures CEO William Ward. Posted on 15 Jan
Copyright 2026 YY Online Services Ltd. registered in England no. 7895890
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy