AN ELECTRICIAN who grew up in Chiswick has embarked on an adventure of a lifetime as he sails around the world.

James Scott set sail on Sunday for the first leg of the 40,000 mile Clipper Round the World Yacht Race as part of Team Garmin, with a 52-strong crew made up Brits, Kiwis and Australians.

The 24-year-old has lived near Turnham Green Terrace since he was three has become a familiar sight at St Michael and All Angels Church, where he works on lighting, sound and electrics for the many events at the church.

The race is the only one in the world where people of all ages, from all professions and abilities, can come together backed by the help of a fully-qualified skipper.

Some people just do a leg of the race but James is doing the entire event, meaning he is the youngest person doing the entire round the world race.

The Chronicle spoke to Shona Scott, James’s mother, who is very excited for her son.

She said: “James did the Mongol Rally a few years ago and as soon as he got back he said he wanted to do the Clipper race – he’s certainly got the adventure bug. He did three weeks of seriously intensive training after he found out he’d been accepted.

“The sponsors are Garmin, a manufacturer of marine electronics, and because James is an electrician he was very excited he was on their boat.

“My husband John and I watched all the boats leave St Katherine Dock and go through Tower Bridge, which was pretty impressive and so exciting.

“It will be tough for all the crew as they’re on a 24-hour rolling watch, sleeping for a few hours at a time, but when they get into port I’m sure James will want to sleep in a proper bed.”

Teams on the 23 identical 70-foot yachts are currently making their way 5,630 miles across the Atlantic to end up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the beginning of October.

The Chronicle will attempt to follow James and Team Garmin’s progress over the next 11 months, with updates hopefully coming in when James is in port.

? To follow James on his epic journey, go to clipperroundtheworld.com.