A former fire captain from Clark County is set to exchange his desert residence for a 70-foot vessel to circumnavigate the globe.
Jimmy Johnson will be among hundreds of sailors participating in a maritime journey during the 14th Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, starting on August 31.
The trip is anticipated to last approximately 11 months. It includes eight segments covering a total distance of 46,000 miles, starting and finishing in Portsmouth, England. Ten racing yacht teams will travel across five oceans and make stops at 14 ports, ranging from Uruguay and Cape Town to South Korea and Seattle.
Although the competition is extremely physically and mentally demanding, the 58-year-old resident of Las Vegas is accustomed to challenging experiences.
Johnson mentioned that he has finished 28 marathons — such as one along the Great Wall of China — and four triathlons since starting his training in his 40s. He has also obtained his pilot license and participated in running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.
After retiring from the fire department in 2019 following three decades of work, Johnson mentioned that he “sold everything” he had to fund his global travels. Instagram photos depict him skydiving in Dubai, standing at the Parthenon, and exploring Jerusalem. He noted that he has backpacked a 500-mile section of the Camino de Santiago across the Pyrenees mountains and has resided in Mexico, Morocco, Croatia, and Italy.
In his effort to challenge himself, Johnson mentioned that participating in the yacht race is crossing another task off his extensive list of desired experiences.
I’ve always had a spirit of exploration and travel,” he stated. “I simply want to experience, sense, and engage with all that life has to offer.
Johnson mentioned that he first became aware of the Clipper Race in 2018 after a friend, who knew Johnson’s love for high-octane experiences, shared a promotional video of the event with him. Since that moment, Johnson stated, he felt determined to accept the challenge.
I was raised in the desert, and oceans weren’t exactly easy to access,” he remarked. “I thought to myself, this is the farthest I could get from my comfort zone.
Due to his wandering nature, Johnson mentioned that choosing to participate in the Clipper Race was not unexpected by his sons, who are 25 and 29 years old. Johnson’s fiancée, Marcella Brous, expressed her support for her partner’s plan to sail around the globe.
He’s a bit crazy,” she said with a laugh, “but that’s what I like about him. He never stays in one spot.
Strenuous training
Being part of the crew for this year’s full global circumnavigation comes with a cost of approximately $79,000, a significant amount that Johnson mentioned he covered using funds from his cryptocurrency investments. The yacht race is structured to allow sailors at every skill level—including those with little experience like Johnson—to take part in the international competition.
Every competitor dedicates 26 days to completing four stages of instructional programs. Crew members acquire knowledge ranging from fundamental boat structure and safety procedures to techniques for increasing speed, along with practice sessions in the English Channel.
The training presented a significant physical and mental challenge, Johnson mentioned. Although he was in good shape, he struggled with operating the yacht’s heavy winches while at sea. “Man, it was really tough,” he said. “Every joint and bone in my body ached.”
Mastering everyday life on a boat with 20 other individuals presents unique challenges. Team members are responsible for preparing meals and resting in cramped bunks, all while the vessel leans to harness the wind for extended periods. Rough waves may cause the yacht to sway, leading to motion sickness. As night falls, the racing crew must continue navigating the boat through complete darkness, with salty ocean water soaking the deck.
Johnson compared the intense, confined environment of sailing to working in a fire station. He mentioned that abilities such as rapidly building teamwork, ensuring the safety of others on the job, and supporting the team all came naturally to him while at sea.
“Personal safety and understanding the job, you know, those are fundamental principles that both the fire department and the Clipper team have implemented,” Johnson stated.
Dangers
Sailing around the world comes with its share of dangers. Since the competition began in 1996, three inexperienced sailors have lost their lives — two were thrown overboard, and one was hit by the boat’s boom — while two vessels were wrecked after crews ventured into water that was too shallow.
Natalie Hill, a senior communications officer at Clipper Ventures, mentioned in an email that safety is a “central value” of the race, upheld by “a safety-focused mindset and ongoing awareness among Clipper Race organizers and participants.” She highlighted rigorous training and equipment standards, along with each yacht being led by a professional captain and first mate, as examples of this approach.
There are many instances where the Clipper Race has made choices and implemented safety measures that go well beyond what is typically expected by the industry,” Hill stated. “With more than 30 years of experience and a deep understanding of what it truly takes to both sail and compete around the world, the Clipper Race guarantees the safety, security, and welfare of every crew member and staff.
Johnson recognized the risks he is taking, but mentioned that the focus on safety during training gives him confidence in his ability to succeed at sea. “There’s always a backup to a backup,” he stated.
Being next to Brous at their dining room table roughly a month before the race began, Johnson mentioned he experienced the same feelings as when he was about to run a marathon: a blend of tranquility and nervousness.
He mentioned he worries about coping with the severe weather and the long period spent away from family and friends, and he questions what it will be like to finish the race next July. However, he takes comfort in knowing he is ready to handle his duties on the boat and is prepared for the challenge.
“Eventually, I will find a stable place … and then I believe that moment will allow me to look back and say, ‘Wow, you know, I really achieved a lot in this life,’ ” Johnson stated.
Contact Spencer Levering at [email protected] 702-383-0253.
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