Skipper in round-the-world role

Duggie Gillespie takes up the worldwide challenge in Brazil

A skipper from south west Scotland has been given a shock call-up to a round-the-world boat race.

Duggie Gillespie, from Kirkcudbright, is to take over at the helm of a yacht in the 35,000-mile global Clipper race.

He has joined the crew of the New York at Salvador in Brazil in time for the second leg of the race, which will take them to Durban, South Africa.

Competitors are due to arrive back in Liverpool next July for its Capital of Culture celebrations.

The 40-year-old Scotsman only got his chance to compete after injury to another skipper.

I'm really looking forward to it, although the last few days have been a bit of a whirlwind trying to get everything sorted Duggie Gillespie

Jerry Crew retired by mutual agreement with race organisers and is now getting treatment to a leg injury.

It meant a "whirlwind" flight to Brazil on Sunday for Mr Gillespie before racing starts up again at 1500 BST.

It is a long journey for a boating career which started sailing dinghies while at school in Dumfries and Galloway.

However, it is not his first major boat racing challenge.

This will be his third circumnavigation of the globe - although in the opposite direction from his previous two efforts.

The race set off from Liverpool earlier this year

"I'm really looking forward to it, although the last few days have been a bit of a whirlwind trying to get everything sorted," he admitted.

"Part of the appeal of taking part in Clipper 07-08 is visiting new places.

"It is a totally different route to my previous circumnavigations and I am really looking forward to the new challenge."

Once the New York leaves Brazil it will head to South Africa with subsequent legs to Australia, Singapore, Hawaii, Jamaica and back to Liverpool, with various stops in between.

"I'm really looking forward to sailing into New York next year - that is going to be quite an experience," said Mr Gillespie.

"This will be my first east-about round the world race, so I'll be going round the opposite way to the last times.

"It will give me a chance to 'unwind' my previous two west-about circumnavigations!" he added.

Mr Gillespie is not alone in making a Scottish challenge as the race is currently being led by the Glasgow: Scotland with Style team.

He will have his work cut out to move up the rankings as the New York sits in ninth place out of 10.