Wigan man returns after sailing round the world

A Wigan yachtsman has returned home after an incredible journey.
Andy (centre) cant hide his delight as their vessel docks in Liverpool, pictured with some of his crewmatesAndy (centre) cant hide his delight as their vessel docks in Liverpool, pictured with some of his crewmates
Andy (centre) cant hide his delight as their vessel docks in Liverpool, pictured with some of his crewmates

Andy Greenough, 53, from Appley Bridge, has completed the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, an epic 11-month 40,000 nautical mile endurance race around planet earth.

The Clipper Race is considered to be one of the most challenging endurance events on the planet and is the only sailing event which trains everyday people to circumnavigate the globe in its 70-foot purpose-built ocean racers.

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After setting off from Liverpool, UK, on last August, Andy, who is a forester by trade, has raced to Punta del Este, Uruguay; Cape Town, South Africa; Fremantle, Sydney, Hobart and the Whitsundays, Australia; Sanya and Qingdao in China; Seattle and New York, USA, and Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland before returning to Liverpool at the weekend onboard the Nasdaq team yacht.

Andy said: “It has been absolutely incredible. We have just berthed into the same spot we left from and my family is in the same spot on the dock where they waved me off from 11 months ago.

“It has not really hit home yet, I am sure it will do later on when I catch up with friends and family I’ve not seen for nearly a year.”

Since departing Liverpool last year, Andy has faced mother nature in the raw; experiencing hurricane force winds and phenomenal sea states in the North Pacific, raced across some of the most remote and hostile corners of the planet and at times, the nearest companions to Andy and his teammates would have been astronauts in the International Space Station.

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However Andy has had the support in stopover ports from his family. He said: “My wife has followed me around the world, so she will be pleased to have me home for good!”

Andy is one of 73 crew members who have been taking part in the full circumnavigation and is joining a unique group of people; more people have climbed Mount Everest than have sailed around the world.

After crossing six oceans and visiting 13 stopover ports on six continents, Andy took part in one final sprint up the River Mersey to Liverpool’s Royal Albert Dock on Saturday.

Andy added: “It has been a brilliant adventure, I’ve met some brilliant people and I’ve hadabsolutely the most incredible time.”