LAUNCESTON businessman Chris Ingram sets off on the world’s longest ocean adventure this weekend and hopes the challenge will draw attention to the slaughter of whales in the Southern Ocean, and the work of the Sea Shepherd organisation in combating it.

Chris, founder and managing director of Launceston-based Continental Underfloor, is taking part in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, regarded as one of the toughest endurance challenges.

He and 16 team members, including the first Canadian female skipper in the race, Diane Reid, are taking part in leg three, which started on Saturday from Cape Town, South Africa, and will see them sail across the Southern Ocean to Albany in Western Australia.

On board ClipperTelemed+, Chris and the multinational crew will take on the Southern Ocean and spend more than three weeks tackling waves often in excess of 60ft, chill temperatures and gale force storms.

To protect them against the elements, Chris and the crew will be wearing an array of specialist equipment including dry suits.

Ahead of his ocean adventure, Chris visited Truro High School for Girls, where pupils put his dry suit to the test and listened to him talk about his imminent adventure.

Chris said: “It’s going to be a tough few weeks out on the ocean, but as a keen sailor it’s a great privilege to be able to take part in such a world-renowned race.

“The training and preparation has been intense, but great fun and I would like to thank Truro High School for Girls for helping me test my dry suit. I enjoyed inspiring them by sharing the news of my challenge, and, you never know, they might want to take part in the adventure themselves one day!

“The hardest task is still to come and I’m looking forward to the camaraderie, the team work and the celebration when we reach Western Australia.”