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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.

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Clipper sailor was not tethered to yacht when she died

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston founded the round the world race in 1995. Credit: PA

A round the world sailor who was swept to her death was not tethered to her yacht, it has emerged.

Sarah Young, 40, was the second crew member to have died on the vessel in the last six months.

The deaths are the first in the Clipper race in 20 years.

Race founder Sir Robin Knox-Johnston insisted safety was "drummed into" sailors before they took part in the challenge.

He told the BBC: "The only person who can tell us why she wasn't tethered is Sarah herself, and of course she never will.

"Just not clipping on takes about three seconds and it's cost her her life."

Ms Young is thought to have died from either drowning or exposure.

Her death is now being investigated by race organisers.

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

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