NAVIGATING 40,000 nautical miles around the world, taking in every continent, Chris Brooks and Team Qingdao sailed to victory on a 70-foot ocean racing yacht.
They were first past the finish line at Southend Pier which saw them win the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
The relief and elation could be seen on skipper Chris’ face as him and his crew later celebrated at The Royal Docks in London.
Chris grew up in Southend and attended Southend high School for boys and began his sailing journey with Leigh Sailing Club.
He said: “It was amazing to lead the race but what was more amazing was to lead an awesome group of people developing fond relationships and making friendships I will never forget.”
The amateur race gives people four weeks of training to learn how to safely sail the 70ft yachts.
Chris continued: “It was an amazing experience to see the oceans the wildlife and extremes of weather most people can only imagine. I’m so proud of my team and all they have achieved and I’m totally privileged to have been placed in a position to experience this.
"I look forward to the next phase in my career as a professional sailor and hope I can go on to achieve even more successes.”
Chris and his team took an early lead in the race until 2020 when the pandemic meant all the teams were force to return home. In February 2022 they returned to the Philippines where they had left their boats.
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