Clipper Race: Dorset sailor turns 21 in one of the world's most remote oceans
by Clipper Race 27 Nov 08:35 PST
Lauren (pictured right) and Skipper Ella (left) with the Washington, DC crew © Clipper Race
Dorset sailor Lauren Corn celebrated her 21st birthday while racing across the notorious Roaring Forties and helping lead a crew of 20 adventurers around the globe.
Lauren is the First Mate on board the Washington, DC yacht, which is sailing 40,000 nautical miles as part of the Clipper 2025-26 Round the World Yacht Race. Working alongside Skipper Ella Hebron, also 21, the pair is one of three all-female leadership teams in this edition of the race - a first for the event.
Currently sailing through one of the world's most remote regions, the Southern Indian Ocean, Team Washington, DC is holding second place as it races towards Fremantle, Australia.
Speaking on her birthday yesterday (26 November), Lauren said: "What a unique place to spend your birthday in the Roaring Forties! My crew made it so nice for me and fully got on board with my request for fancy dress and carrot cake... which was absolutely delicious! When I came up for lunch, everyone was dressed up, which put a big smile on my face. It's certainly going to be one to remember - not somewhere I imagined I would be spending my 21st birthday, but I'm very happy about it, nonetheless.
"Racing wise, we've covered quite a few miles, and we're all really happy with our current position. My birthday started at 1am to the sound of the team putting in a reef, but luckily Skipper Ella was handling that, so I didn't have to - birthday good news."
Lauren, who hails from Poole, Dorset, comes from a family happiest on the water. She spent her early years dinghy sailing in local waters at Parkstone Sailing Club.
After taking a break from university, she qualified as a Yachtmaster in Australia, where she also discovered a passion for racing and spent time working as a sailing instructor. This summer, she returned to the Clipper Race Training HQ as a First Mate, helping lead Levels 1, 2 and 3 training courses.
Speaking about her role, Lauren said: "I want to be a Clipper Race First Mate because of the uniqueness the role offers. You meet a group of people who are specialists in their individual day jobs, but we have the opportunity to guide and lead everyone into a team of sailors. There's nothing else like that in the industry."
Track the fleet at clipperroundtheworld.geovoile.com/2025/tracker