Balclutha woman Cheryl Campbell is not averse to a challenge, and this is a big one.
The Otago-born physiotherapist and Red Cross nurse, who is stationed in the Gaza Strip treating war-wounded casualties, has set her sights on
competing in the world's longest ocean race.
Ms Campbell, who has also worked in Afghanistan and India treating torture survivors, is at present sailing the Seattle Pacific Challenge leg of the 2016 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, from Qingdao in China to Seattle, Washington.
The 6000-nautical-mile crossing is the sixth of eight legs in the race and covers the world's deepest and largest expanse of water.
Far from deterred by her limited sailing experience, Ms Campbell said she chose the Pacific leg ‘‘because it seemed the most treacherous and epic leg''.
‘‘And whilst I can feasibly crew on a boat across the Atlantic, I'd possibly not get much other chance to sail right across the more dangerous and more expansive North Pacific.''
Ms Campbell is competing with the Danang Viet Nam team on one of 12 identical 70ft (21.3m) Clipper yachts to feature in the race.
The 19-strong crew set off on Sunday. Its journey is expected to take about a month.
In such a large expanse of water, the remoteness of the crossing was set to be the biggest challenge, Ms Campbell said.
‘‘We will be closer to satellites in space than to any other humans on land at times during this voyage.''
Ms Campbell had experienced a similar remoteness when she was travelling on camels with the seminomadic Bedouin tribe in Mali, she said.
The farthest point out was 750km, or 18 days' trek, to the nearest civilisation.
‘‘The two are polar opposite in terms of temperature and conditions, but both equally daunting and isolating.
‘‘I'm looking forward to comparing the two adventures.''
Ms Campbell had spent four weeks training on the Clipper yacht in English and French waters but that was far removed from the conditions the crew would face in the North Pacific, she said.
‘‘I know it'll be freezing cold and wet and windy and the seas can potentially be 27m tall.
‘‘We'll be on watch on four-hour shifts and so sleep deprivation will be a factor too.''
The race is regarded as one of the toughest endurance challenges on the planet, covering 40,000 miles and taking almost a year to complete.
It started in London in August last year and was due to finish in the same city on July 30.
The race was established in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston who, in 1968-69, became the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world.
There were 700 people from more than 40 countries taking part in the race. About 40% were novices.
At 6pm yesterday, Danang Viet Nam was lying 10th in the leg and sixth overall.
