Advertisement

  1. National

British sailor, killed during Clipper yacht race, buried at sea

Amateur sailor, Sarah Young, who died while competing in a global yacht race, was buried at sea by her team at 1am on Sunday.

As she was laid to rest in a service drawing upon centuries-old maritime traditions, sailors aboard the other 11 yachts gathered and remembered her with a minute's silence.

Ms Young was swept away in strong winds while taking part in the global world yacht event just six months after the death of another British sailor, Andrew Ashman, who was killed while aboard the same vessel, the IchorCoal.

View all 7 updates ›

British sailor Sarah Young will be buried at sea

Sarah Young died while competing in a global yacht race. Credit: Clipper Ventures/PA Wire

Amateur sailor, Sarah Young, who died while competing in a global yacht race will be buried at sea, organisers said.

Ms Young, 40, was washed into the Pacific Ocean by a large wave as she tended to the mainsail aboard the IchorCoal vessel during the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race.

Race organisers said they had permission from Ms Young's partner and family to bury her at sea.

Ms Young's parents are both deceased and she has no siblings. Race organisers contacted her elderly aunt in New Zealand who gave the ceremony her blessing.

Following guidance from the doctor and our medical advisers and consultation with the Maritime Coastguard Agency, plus Sarah's partner, friends, family and the crew, we have decided to proceed with a burial at sea as soon as weather conditions permit, because of the long time it will take to reach closest landfall.

– Clipper race organisers

Her body is expected to be laid to rest at sea on Saturday evening in a ceremony which will draw on centuries-old maritime traditions.

The yacht has been sent details of the burial at sea ceremony which has been used for centuries by mariners, along with some personal readings from her loved ones, and will advise the race office with at least two hours' notice when they are ready to proceed.

We appreciate that this will be a difficult and emotional time for the crew, the entire fleet and the whole Clipper Race family. Our thoughts remain with them all and with Sarah's partner, family and friends at this difficult time.

Sarah was much loved, and will be missed deeply by all who knew her. On behalf of her family and friends, they have asked us to request that they are now allowed to grieve and remember Sarah in peace.

– Clipper race organisers
  1. Read more
  2. 7 updates
British sailor, killed during Clipper yacht race, buried at sea

More top news