This segment was first aired on Back2Besa on FOX 13 Seattle. See past episodes and segments at whereweconverge.com/back2besa and on the FOX Local app. Learn how to download app here bit.ly/watchfoxlocal

Last week eleven 70 foot racing yachts and 200 fearless non-professional sailors arrived at Bell Harbor in Seattle after a 6000 nautical mile race across the North Pacific Ocean from Qingdao, China as part of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. The Clipper Ventures // Clipper Round the World Yacht Race the World Yacht Race is the only event of its kind which trains everyday people to become ocean racers. Each of the eleven teams is led by two experienced professional sailors (a Skipper and First Mate) with the rest of the international crew made up of people from all walks of life, with professions including tattoo artist, dairy farmer, engineer, teacher and ecologist.

We sent Back2Besa producer Keith Asphy along with camera operator Mathew Bermudez and photographer Jordan Somers to check out the yachts and to brave the waters of Puget Sound and see what it is like to set sail. I think what you will see is that although it might look fun, it’s a lot of hard work too.

Thank you to everyone at Clipper Round the World Yacht Race for the invite and the crew from Washington DC especially Skipper Hannah Brewis. Also big shout out to Mara Mote and the Seattle Sports Commission for the connect.

So far, the teams have raced over 20,000 nautical miles, with the global route having stopped in Spain, Uruguay, South Africa, Australia, Vietnam, China and now Seattle. The race continues from the Emerald City to the Panama Canal, and then its off to Washington, DC. before heading across the Atlantic Ocean. You can follow all the race action by visiting www.clipperroundtheworld.com