TROUBLE shooter Owen Morris is gearing up to take part in the gruelling round the world Clipper Yacht Race after running out of reasons not to join the 40,000 mile race around the globe. Forty-six-year-old Owen will join the race in Australia next Janua

TROUBLE shooter Owen Morris is gearing up to take part in the gruelling round the world Clipper Yacht Race after "running out of reasons" not to join the 40,000 mile race around the globe.

Forty-six-year-old Owen will join the race in Australia next January, after becoming one of 450 people to sign up for the challenge.

"At the time of the BT Global Challenge, I couldn't afford it and could not take the time off work," said Owen, of West Walton.

"But last year I realised I could afford it, and now I run my own business I could take the time off, I ran out of reasons not to do it."

The 10-month Clipper Yacht Race, which started in September, visits Brazil, South Africa, Australia, Singapore, San Francisco, Panama, Jamaica, New York, Ireland and the Netherlands before returning to Hull.

Ten sleek 68-feet Clippers make up the fleet, and Owen will be joining the crew of Jamaica Lightning Bolt on legs four and five; starting off in Freemantle.

"It is about the challenge, the experience and the adventure," he said. "And it has already been an adventure with the training. And through the training I have met life long friends.

"It is not to learn to sail" added Owen. "There are easier and cheaper ways of learning to sail than two legs of the Clipper Race."

Part of his adventure was taking part in the delivery trip up to Hull, facing force 10, gusting 11 gales.

Owen works for Tulip in King's Lynn. He lives with his wife Sara, a technical director at onion suppliers Rustler Produce.