BASINGSTOKE-born Philippa O’Sullivan is set to take on the challenge of a lifetime when she takes part in the Clipper Round the World Race.

The race around the world will see O’Sullivan who grew up in Ramsdell at sea for 11 months.

The former Priory School pupil now lives in London, where she went to University.

The keen sportswoman plays hockey for King’s Alleyn’s near her south London home, having started her career with Basingstoke.

The 28-year-old is currently training hard for the race, which starts in August and she will learn her skipper for the race at the end of May.

Talking as to why she takes on the challenge, O’Sullivan said: “The Clipper race amalgamates many things that I love – there is the physical aspect. I am going to be pushed like nothing I have ever experienced before.

“There is the competitive aspect the race element really excites me, we are going to have to work solidly as a team in order to do as well as we can in the race.

“The mental aspect is also going to be really tough.”

“I want to be an ordinary person doing the extraordinary and I want to show you that everyone is capable of doing amazing things. I really believe that if you put your mind to it, then you can achieve whatever you want to.”

The Clipper Race is one of the biggest challenges of the natural world and an endurance test like no other.

It is a 40,000 nautical mile race around the world between 12 70-foot ocean racing yachts, divided into eight legs.

For what is sure to be a epic adventure the Ramsdell sailor is looking forward to the leg from China and Seattle in America and said: “When you are in the middle of the Pacific where the nearest person to you is someone on a space station is going to be surreal.”

The first leg leaves from England to South American, then the races moves onto South Africa, Australia, China and across the Pacific to America then via the Panama Canal back to England.

O’Sullivan is looking for sponsorship for the event, which will give national and local companies the chance to have their logo on her website and social media channels, as well as personalised blogs.

Also on branded kit both dry suit and wet weather gear, that she will wear for 11 months and appear in videos and images that will be sent back from the boat.

Also the chance for her to give talks before and after the race, about her experiences.

Anyone interested can contact O’Sullivan by email on pip@pip360.co.uk