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Clipper Race: Sarah Young buried at sea

03 Apr 2016

Sarah Young was taking part in the year long race on the ‘IchorCoal’ boat

CLIPPER RACE BURIAL: Sarah Young an amateur British sailor who died after being swept into the Pacific Ocean while competing in the Clipper Race has been buried at sea.

Sarah Young, 40, was washed overboard while taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. At the time she was tidying the cockpit area and was not clipped on. Her body was later recovered by her crewmates.

Race organisers said they had received permission from Miss Young’s partner and family to bury her at sea.

Race founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston has promised a full investigation.

He said everyone involved in the race was in “shock” over the death, adding the probe would focus on why she was not tethered to the yacht.

Miss Young is the second person to die in this year‘s event – fellow Briton Andrew Ashman, a crew member on the same boat, died after being knocked unconscious in September.

Despite being amateurs, both Miss Young and Mr Ashman were experienced sailors.

Race organisers said it was arranged that Miss Young would be buried at sea because of the “long time it will take to reach closest landfall”.

After the burial they posted a message on Twitter saying: “RIP Sarah Young – laid to rest in #PacificOcean #ClipperRace – our thoughts are with crew, partner, friends and family”.

Miss Young’s parents are deceased and she has no siblings, but her aunt in New Zealand gave the ceremony her blessing.

via Boating Business | Clipper Race: Sarah Young buried at sea.