Warwick MBA graduate to sail in the world's toughest yacht race

Caroline Watson, who graduates with an MBA from Warwick this summer is about to embark on the most challenging episode of her life as one of the crew in the BT Global Challenge round the world yacht race.

Caroline, business manager for BT Syncordia Solutions, joined BT in 1996 and soon after embarked on the Warwick MBA. Caroline set herself the goal of completing her Executive MBA within three years whilst continuing with her demanding career, and she achieved it. Her next challenge promises to be her toughest to date.

As part of a crew of 17 plus a professional skipper on board a 72 ft yacht, Team Compaq, Caroline will sail one six-week leg of the 30,000 mile BT Global Challenge round the world yacht race. She has chosen what is arguably the toughest leg, from Sydney to Cape Town through the Southern Ocean, where waves of up to 120 ft have been recorded.

"The race is particularly tough because we will sail 'the wrong way round the world' against prevailing winds and currents," explains Caroline. "The race starts on September 10 and from the moment I knew I was to be involved it has been a great incentive to complete my MBA on time and it is something spectacular to look forward to."

As a 'BT legger', someone who only joins the crew for one leg of the journey, Caroline did not have to pay for her berth but is committed to raising at least £7,500 for Save the Children, the official charity of the BT Global Challenge. To date she has raised over £15,000. "Having spent the last three years focusing on me and my MBA, it is good to put something back," said Caroline.

The yacht race is an opportunity to experience team building in extreme conditions as well as a challenge, which demands flexibility and the ability to adapt to change very rapidly. Caroline hopes to bring something of this learning back into the workplace.

Caroline emphasises, "It is important to have goals in your life, something to work towards and to challenge your mind. The BT Global Challenge, just like my MBA is an important goal which I will be very proud to reach."