The first episode of a six-part television documentary about the Clipper Round the World Race will air tonight.

Against the Tide follows the competitors in the 35,000-mile race from the early stages of their training, which for some participants included their first time on a boat, to the Southern Ocean.

The footage in the hour-long episodes includes a man overboard in the south Atlantic, a knock-down in a near hurricane, dismastings and the loss of Cork Clipper on an Indonesian reef.

The programme will air on freeview channel QUEST on Wednesdays at 2100.

TV series producer John Nolan said: ‘The Clipper Race is a remarkable human adventure played out on the high seas.

‘Our team had unrestricted access to the crews to follow their incredible journey around the world.

‘The series provides a unique insight into the roller coaster of emotions and experiences as novice sailors from all walks of life discover how they cope when Mother Nature throws everything she’s got at them.’

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