THE danger, excitement and adventure of racing yachts on the high seas awaits a North Yorkshire woman, picked to take part in one of the world's toughest yacht races.

Claire Batson, a business administration manager at Norwich Union in York, has flown to New Zealand to join the crew on board the yacht the company is sponsoring in the BT Global Challenge 2000/01 round-the-world race. She will take part in the leg from Wellington which starts on February 18 and takes a week to complete.

Claire, 44, who is nicknamed 'Batty', was awarded one of six legger places the company set aside for staff in the race which started back in September 2000 and has so far visited Boston, Buenos Aires, and Wellington.

Before leaving, Claire, who lives in Thirsk, said: "I am so excited about joining skipper Neil Murray and the rest of the crew on board Norwich Union.

"I was awarded this lifetime opportunity back in July 1999 and have been counting down the months to it. I feel technically and physically prepared for the leg, after undergoing extensive training over the past year."

During the leg Claire's main role on board the sprint to Sydney will be winching - pulling the sails up and down with the help of a mechanical device. She will also do a day on mother watch, which means cooking and cleaning for the 18 strong crew.

Updated: 10:14 Saturday, February 03, 2001