FORMER managing director Andrew Jones who swapped office life for the open sea is on route to China via Singapore.

The 37-year-old who quit his top role at Flamingo UK Limited to embark on the voyage of a lifetime, is experiencing ‘the most exciting’ sailing of the trip so far.

He is currently on race five of the Clipper round-the-world yacht race onboard the 68ft yacht ‘Uniquely Singapore.’ The newly reduced nine-boat fleet has faced severe monsoon squalls with often violently changing conditions since leaving western Australia dramatic.

Former Thomas Hardye student Andrew, who signed up for the entire ocean race, will return to the United Kingdom until July 17 when a big homecoming will be held in The Humber.

His parents, Chris and Mick, of Dorchester, travelled to Australia to spend Christmas with Andrew and their eldest son Simon and wife Bronwen, who live in Sydney.

Mum Chris said: “Andrew is enjoying the sailing although I think it is very hard work.

“We had a nice few days with him and he said he was looking forward to starting the next leg of the race.

“He has grown a bushy beard which I think the idea is it will keep his face warm when he gets to the colder climates.

“I think the crew were a little disappointed with their place in the race to Geraldton as they had been right up with the leaders all through and then at the end lack of wind meant they came in eighth.”

She added: “We are watching the progress in the race to Singapore, its quite a close contest at the moment so hopefully Singapore will pull out all the stops and achieve a good finishing position.”

Former Weymouth pub landlord Jan Ridd is skippering the Cape Breton Island yacht.

Today when his yacht emerged from 24 hours in stealth mode at the head of the pack, skipper Jan said: “The last 24 hours has produced some of the most exciting and competitive racing so far.

“We have seen 10 miles gained and lost as the wind shifts 90 degrees and back again, with squalls of more than 40 knots testing each of the three leading crews.”

He added: “All the boats are within a few miles of each other having spent most of the time in line of sight - a true testament to edge that each of these racing teams has developed.

“You can barely get a sheet of spinnaker cloth between us - it's anyone's game!"

The yachts are expected to arrive in Singapore on January 23 and to depart on February 2 for Qingdao.

Full positions are updated every three hours and can be found at www.clipperroundtheworld.com.

THE Clipper yacht Cork has been out of action from the race since it hit a submerged reef in the hours of darkness last week (JAN 14).

The skippers of California and Team Finland attended the stricken boat by the small island of Gosong Mampango and all 16 crewmembers were evacuated to safety using life rafts.

Eight of Cork's crew remained on board Team Finland, another eight crewmembers transferred to California and have been settling in to their new surroundings.