Darren Ladd, 49, from Midsomer Norton, has been named as one of twelve Skippers who will each lead a team in the tenth edition of the famous Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

Darren, a former engineer seismologist in the oil and gas industry, will lead a crew of amateur sailors through Mother Nature's toughest environments in the 2015–16 edition of the 40,000 nautical mile challenge, which starts from the UK on August 30th.

His love of the ocean began as a child on board his grandfather's converted lifeboat in Weymouth and now Darren is relishing the huge physical and mental challenge ahead.

Speaking about the upcoming race, Darren says: "I started working for the Clipper Race as a Training Mate in 2011. After the first course, I thought, this is amazing! Almost everything I have done since then

has been geared towards becoming a Race Skipper.

"On a personal level, I would like to think that every one of my crew will have the adventure of a lifetime and really get something out of the race. It doesn't matter what your background is, we are all equals when we're pumping out the bilge and I would love for the crew to learn something about themselves that they never knew before."

The Clipper Race is one of the world's toughest challenges. Taking almost a year to complete, this is the only event which gives amateur sailors the chance to sail round the world, taking on Mother Nature's most remote conditions. Fewer have completed the Clipper Race than have climbed Mount Everest.

Twelve teams compete against each other on the world's largest matched fleet of 70ft ocean racing yachts, designed for speed, not comfort. Crews represent over forty different countries and can choose to compete in either the full circumnavigation, or one or more of its eight individual legs. The only professionals on board are the Skippers, who safely lead each team.

Speaking about the selection process, Clipper Race Founder and Chairman, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, said: "Our Race Skippers are put through rigorous trials before we appoint the successful candidates. Nothing can fully prepare you for the challenge of sailing round the world with a crew of amateur sailors. We have to be sure we choose Skippers who not only possess the best sailing skills, but also have the right temperament.

"It's a race, so, of course, everyone wants to win. I am sure Darren will relish the adventure that lies ahead."

The fleet will visit six different continents in up to fifteen individually scored races taking just under a year. The team with the highest total points at the finish wins the Clipper Race Trophy.