Sailor Sarah Young to be buried at sea after dying during Clipper Round the World Racht Race

A FEMALE adventurer and amateur sailor who died during the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will be buried at sea on Sunday.

A FEMALE adventurer and amateur sailor who died during the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will be buried at sea on Sunday, with one minute’s silence to be held on all other yachts in the race.

Sarah Young, 40, was knocked overboard from the yacht IchorCoal by a wave in the Pacific Ocean during the leg from Qingdao, China, to Seattle in the US.

Skipper Darren Ladd said she had been tidying the cockpit in strong winds when she was swept overboard by a wave.

Young is the second sailor to die during the current 14-leg race, which hit Australian shores in December and January and used the Sydney to Hobart as part of its race.

She was not tethered to the yacht at the time she was washed overboard and while she was recovered, she could not be resuscitated.

Race organisers said they have permission from Young’s partner and family to bury her at sea with final preparations being made.

“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,” a statement read.

“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.”

Prior to the Clipper race Young had done other expeditions including spending a year in Sabah, northern Borneo, working for Raleigh Malaysia.

She had also led teams in Zambia, Botswana and Namibia, had been mountaineering in Nepal and did an 18-day trek down Africa’s Skeleton coast unsupported.

Young’s death comes less than seven months after that of fellow UK sailor Andrew Ashman, 49, who died after being knocked unconscious racing off the Portuguese coast