THIRTY-TWO years ago, Stephen Chapman crewed for one leg of what was then known as the Whitbread Round the World Race.
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Last Sunday, he cheered his son, young sailor Lucas, for the start of the equivalent, the Volvo Round of the World Ocean Race, knowing better than most the conditions Lucas is likely to encounter over the next eight months.
At 25, Lucas Chapman is the youngest member of the Turn the Tide on Plastic (TTTOP) crew but he takes his place with loads of experience and has already proven his versatility, both sure to be called on as they race across 45,000 nautical miles of ocean, touching six continents and 12 landmark cities.
“I’m beyond excited,” Chapman said.
“There is this drive in me to do the Volvo, that has pretty much occupied my every conscious moment for six years.
“After five Sydney-to-Hobarts and countless other races, I’ve finally made it. It’s been an obsession.”
Lucas recalled days at university where he would be lost in day dreams of sailing and ocean racing.
“I remember sitting at university, I was supposed to be doing CAD drawings,” he said. “Instead I was watching live videos of the 2011-12 race, with Chris Nicholson on Camper, as the fleet headed into the Southern Ocean from Auckland.”
“I knew then it was something I just had to be a part of.”
The Volvo Round of the World Ocean Race is currently underway.