And what a difference a year has made for the 24-year-old marketing officer from Lifford, County Donegal!
The sailing novice will have completed a full circumnavigation of the globe when the Clipper 2017-18 Race finishes up in Liverpool later this month. But before then, she will have the heartiest of homecomings when her Clipper Race yacht, HotelPlanner.com, arrives into Derry-Londonderry next week along with the 10 others in the fleet, ahead of Foyle Maritime Festival which takes place from July 14th – July 22nd.
Ahead of her hero’s return, Roseann is feeling emotional. She said: “It’s been a year full of ups and downs, mostly ups and that’s what will make it hard to leave. I have met some amazing people over the year and the thought of not seeing them every day or even every few weeks is sad. The end of night watches, however, bring altogether different emotions!”
Roseann has undergone a huge transformation during her time on the Clipper Race, graduating from having no sailing experience to becoming a Watch Leader.
Her love affair with the Clipper Race began six years ago in Derry when she saw the fleet arrive at the city’s inaugural Foyle Maritime Festival.
After visiting the Festival every year while studying in Derry, Roseann wanted to view the celebrations from a different view this year – arriving on board a Clipper 70.
She said: “When I saw the fleet arrive in Derry year after year, I used to look at the crew and think they were amazing. They had sailed across oceans to get there and I was captured by their adventure. To now have experienced that adventure and lived through it as part of the fleet, it feels amazing to think I might inspire someone else from home to live the adventure.
“I have had to stop myself from thinking about sailing up the Foyle for this leg because I am convinced it will make it feel doubly long! My brain is currently convinced we are off the coast of China! I have, however, thought about arriving home many times over the year and it always brings a smile to my face.
“The thought of seeing all my family and sleeping in my own bed are amazing, never mind the welcome I am sure the entire fleet will have when we (finally) arrive. I am sure it is something I will never forget. The crew are also really excited because I have promised them buns for breakfast from Doherty’s bakery as is tradition in Derry!”
The arrival window for the Clipper 2017-18 Race fleet is July 10 – 14 and they will remain in Foyle Port for the duration of the Foyle Maritime Festival which runs from July 14 – 22, 2018 with a huge number of attractions including boat tours, on the water activities, a seafood kitchen and trail, science and heritage marquees, music and a showcase spectacular ‘Voyages’ on Friday, July 20 from 8 – 11 pm.
