The Hull Daily Mail has sent one of its video journalists on the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, to report on the progress of the Hull and Humber Clipper.

Jane Harper underwent three weeks of intensive training to become a fully-fledged member of its crew, and is taking part in the first leg of the race from Liverpool to Salvador in Brazil.

As well as performing her crew duties, she is sending back a blog, video diary and photos, which have been appearing in the Mail and on a specially-created website www.raceforglory.co.uk, built in-house by the editorial team.

She has filed videos showing the crew hard at work tackling the varied weather and sea conditions, of dolphins shadowing the boat, and has blogged on the strange feeling of racing against competitors you haven’t seen for days.

She has also reported on how the boat slowed as its sail became tangled, and how the crew managed to recover to regain the lead.

Jane (pictured) said: “There have been times when I’ve wondered what I’ve let myself in for, because you spend a lot of time wet and cold and tired.

“But it’s also great fun and hopefully the coverage will provide a really good record of our experiences on board.”

The 27-year-old East Riding council reporter had no previous sailing experience, and also had to learn new video skills for the trip.

The Hull and Humber Clipper has been fitted with satellite equipment to allow Jane to submit her reports, but contact is still difficult and she is limited to one e-mail a day with no telephone contact possible while the crew are at sea.

Senior assistant editor Paul Hartley, who has been co-ordinating the project, said it had been a steep learning curve for everyone involved.

He said: It’s been a big challenge getting this project off the ground.

“There were plenty of teething problems but we are receiving a blog, video and photos every day from the boat.

“I think the content really brings to life the race for our readers/web visitors. We’ve already got stacks of content on the Race For Glory website, which makes very interesting reading and viewing.”

He added: “This is the chance of a lifetime for Jane but it’s also a great opportunity to provide some genuinely compelling content.

“Many of the crew are from the Mail’s circulation area so there is a lot of interest in Jane’s reports.”

The Clipper Round The World Yacht Race will see ten yachts manned by amateur sailing crews cover 35,000 miles of ocean during a ten-month adventure, via countries including Australia, China and South Africa.

Jane is expected to arrive in Brazil by October 16, and warmed up for the big adventure by crewing the 68-foot Hull and Humber Yacht in the inaugural Wilberforce Challenge Cup race across the North Sea in July.

Grimsby Telegraph reporter Gareth Parry-Jones is due to join the Hull and Humber Clipper’s crew for the final leg of the race next year.