Illustrious start for round-the-world race yachts

More than 500 amateur sailors from 40 countries will take turns to sail the yachts in the 40,000-mile race which started from Southampton.

More than 40 per cent of them had no sailing experience before beginning their rigorous training for the world’s longest yacht race.

The 10 ocean-racing yachts sailed in formation ahead of HMS Illustrious before the race began at 4.30pm from the historic Royal Yacht Squadron line in Southampton Water.

A flotilla of small boats also saw off the yachts as they set off on their global challenge. The course will take the 68ft yachts to 15 ports on six continents and across the largest and most ferocious expanses of water on the planet.

Lucia Ainsworth, 45, originally from Brighouse, West Yorkshire, has given up her job as a head of legal at Lloyds Banking Group in London to join Gold Coast Australia skippered by Rich Hewson. She said: “To take part in this, the greatest amateur yacht race, will fulfil my lifelong dream to sail across oceans.”

She is raising money for Toe in the Water, a tri-service charity to help injured service personnel rehabilitate through competitive sailing.