York Schoolgirl is Youngest Female Participant in Global Yacht Race

Published on isbi School News dated Wednesday 3rd of July 2013

A York schoolgirl is the youngest female participant in the world's largest yacht race.

Sophie Hetherton, 18, of The Mount School will become the youngest ever female member of the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race which starts from London this August and is due to finish in London in July 2014.

Sophie, who completed her last A-Level exam earlier this month at the all-girls Quaker school, has been sailing in the English Channel to prepare for the rigors of the race and in August will embark on the Clipper.

She said she is very excited about the challenge, particularly as she hasn't any particular 'sailing background'. Her father, James Hetherton, who is very proud of Sophie's tenacity, said 'This is down to the unique way The Mount gets students to challenge themselves.'

Sophie will raise money for the Contented Dementia Trust and other charities.

https://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/crewpages/bio/220