17-year-old to race from Scotland to Norway on century-old fishing boat

Jamie le Marquand will set sail on the Excelsior in a race from Aberdeen, Scotland, to Kristiansand, Norway.

The 17-year-old embarks on the 2025 Tall Ships Race on 4 July, where, for his leg of the challenge, he will join the crew of a historic fishing boat to sail across the North Sea.

He says it is an exciting challenge.

"[It] will give the chance to sail offshore, work as part of an international team and expand my sailing skills."

Other team members will sail from Le Havre to Dunkirk in France, then over to Aberdeen, where Jamie will join on the leg to Kristiansand and then finally the team will finish in Esbjerg, Denmark.

Jamie will be navigating the waters on the Excelsior, which is an old fishing boat which was built in 1921, and now regularly competes in major maritime competitions.

The Lowestoft smack was built to withstand the North Sea, and she was fully restored in 1989.

Credit: Rob Howarth

The young dinghy instructor at the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club managed to grab a spot this year due to a £1,000 grant from the 2025 Clipper Bursary.

Jamie says he is determined to make the most of this amazing opportunity.

"The bursary will help to cover the cost of the trip, including travel and kit, as well as a contribution towards the voyage itself.

"After the race, I’ll return to teach sailing in Jersey as an RYA Dinghy Instructor at the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club.

"For the past two summers, I’ve enjoyed sharing my passion with younger sailors, and I hope they not only see the fun I had but are inspired by my experience to find their own adventures."

The runners-up of the Clipper Bursary are a team of sailors from three of Jersey's sailing clubs.

The group, representing the St. Helier Yacht Club, the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club and St. Catherine’s Sailing Club, are using the £500 grant to compete in a keelboat regatta on the Hamble River, in England.

Tyler Horton, Richie Forbes, Harvey Godel, Juliette Walton and Todd Watkins will be taking on the David Haw Memorial Trophy race in August.

Todd says they are dedicated to promoting youth keelboating and sailing.

"This event offers us a platform to develop our skills, inspire younger sailors and strengthen Jersey’s presence in national keelboat racing, and the bursary award will help cover entry fees and travel expenses, enabling us to represent Jersey with pride."