Could you sail around the world

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TALE SHOWS

• Clipper across the World Yacht Race begins in London
• Over 500 amateur sailors will deal with harshest problems in the world
• From three-meter waves to sweltering seas, have you got what must be done?
• Explore our interactive chart to see what lies ahead for teams

Editor's note: Scroll around the world to see Clipper route. Select icons to find out more.

(CNN) - Could you survive on four-hours sleep every day? How about coming face-to-face with waves the dimensions of three-storey structures? Or not witnessing all your family members for a whole year?

Whilst the Clipper around the World Yacht Race set sail from London on Sunday, 670 amateur sailors will soon find out if they've what must be done to complete the most grueling sporting challenges known to man - cruising around the globe.

Over the following year they travel through the harshest conditions on the planet - dealing with anything from crazy storms within the Southern Ocean, to frustratingly relaxed seas nearby the equator.

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The 12 yachts, each measuring 21 yards, will visit 15 ports on six continents. While many sailors will join for a month-long leg associated with journey, others will stop their tasks and say goodbye to their family and buddies for complete 11-month circumnavigation.

But regardless of the very nearly superhuman challenge before all of them, most of the competitors had until recently never ever set sail within their life. From 18-year-old pupils to 70-year-old retirees, the gutsy sailors getting involved in this season's competition will - rather actually - be tossed when you look at the deep end.

"for most of us it'll be initially they're sleeping and living on a watercraft for an extended period of time, " stated Nik Brbora, who finished the 2012 competition.

"they are going to really need to get accustomed the uncomfortable circumstances, insomnia, and move work - often four hours on, four-hours down. After that there's the elements - throughout your education you cannot actually encounter your first huge violent storm, " included the 29-year-old IT professional from London.

Founded in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston - 1st individual sail solo, non-stop, around the world in 1969 - the Clipper Race revolves all over notion anybody can circumnavigate the world, regardless of their experience.

The only choice requirements is folks must certanly be over 18, pass a three-week cruising training course and get toned adequate to complete the epic voyage.

But at around £43, 000 ($67, 000) per person for a complete year-long voyage, it isn't simply a massive physical undertaking, but a significant monetary one.

"It's a bit like moving country - you have to leave behind everyone else you understand. Your possessions tend to be broken-down into one case for a complete 12 months, " stated Brbora.

"The Clipper motto is that 'anyone may do it.' I happened to be only the average man working in the city, perhaps not an enormous adventurer like Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. But used to do it, and I also've come out of it a great deal stronger in accordance with so much more self-belief."