Pauline McCann manages DPD’s Louth depot with her husband. When an email landed in her inbox from her employer stating that they were looking for a select number of employees to take part in the Tall Ships Race 2018, she knew that she couldn’t pass up on the opportunity.

After a gruelling selection process, part of which involved going to France for a number of physical challenges, Pauline was chosen as one of the crew members for the Gazelle de la Mer, which leaves Dublin Port this Monday 4 June.

The Gazelle de la Mer has an all-female crew, who are all French bar Pauline. They will race nine other competitors to Bordeaux via the Bay of Biscay.

Although she has no sailing background, Pauline is not fazed. Now living in Dundalk, she grew up on a farm in Co Down and says that she is used to hard work. All she has to do now is transfer that work ethic to the high seas.

“I was brought up on a farm and let’s say the exercise was gathering potatoes, planting potatoes, helping out on the farm and herding the sheep.”

Living life to the full

The 51-year-old enjoys yoga and hill walking but has never been exceptionally athletic and she knows it will be a physically tough 10 days sailing the ship.

However, after her brother died tragically in an accident last year, her perspective changed and she decided to start living life to the full.

Pauline McCann will take part in the Tall Ships Race 2018.

“This time last year I had a brother killed in a tragic accident. Ever since then it has made me realise how precious life is and to grab every opportunity that comes your way,” says Pauline of the situation.

This was an opportunity that wasn’t costing me anything and it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing. As far as I was concerned, I mightn’t get the opportunity again, so I just applied and here I am.

Before her outlook changed, Pauline explains that she would have still applied, but not chased the possible adventure with the same passion. Now going outside her comfort zone is something she regularly does.

“We will be trained in the docks in Dublin for the four days before we sail, we will get the training we need on-board then.

"There are 41 women and there is a maritime crew of 15 professionals, so we will be assisting them. We will be doing everything from raising and lowering the sails to helping out in the kitchen, scrubbing the deck and learning a little about the history of the ship.”

Dublin's Tall Ship Regatta 2018 takes place from 1-4 June.

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