A Tooting man will return to dry land later this month after a once in a lifetime experience sailing the world.

Jamie Noble, 40, of Beeches Road, is among hundreds of people who have spent the past 11 months racing 40,000 miles at sea in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

Starting at St Katharine Docks, London, on September 1 last year, crews are now embarking on the penultimate leg from Northern Ireland to Den Helder in the Netherlands, before racing back to the London docks to mark the end of the journey.

Speaking from on-board the Qingdao yacht, Mr Noble said he decided to sign up for the challenge after seeing advertising billboards for about five years and last year felt the time was right.

Since stepping on to the yacht, Mr Noble has enjoyed a number of roles including safety checks and work around the dock and has been in the company of other crewmates from China, Canada, Bermuda, Italy and Israel.

Throughout the race, crews have raced to destinations in Europe, South America, South Africa, Australia, Asia and North America.

Mr Noble said: "Sydney was probably my favourite place to stop. The weather was great and I lived there for four years about 10 years ago so it was great to catch up with old friends."

Although the whole experience has been unforgettable, Mr Noble said his highlight was crossing the South Pacific Ocean.

He said: "The weather was horrendous so when you get through something like that, where you are thousands of miles from help, you feel great. Getting through that has been the high for me."

The world’s longest ocean race ends at St Katharine Docks on July 12.

For more information, visit clipperroundtheworld.com.