AS someone whose only experience of going to sea is boarding a cross-Channel ferry, Anthony Lee is hardly a seasoned sailor.

The 27-year-old archeologist has stepped off dry land so few times that he doesn't even know if he gets sea sick.

But he is getting ready to embark on an epic round-the-world yacht race, spanning 35,000 miles and five continents.

Anthony, of Kendall Close, Ewood, Blackburn, will be in a team of 16 novices joining one professional skipper a clipper yacht.

Anthony, who works for an archeology group in Lancaster, saw the application form for the gruelling 'Clipper Cup' race while he was glancing through a Sunday magazine.

He could not believe his luck when he was picked to compete in the race after an interview with the race co-ordinator Colin de Mowbrey.

Now he is hoping to make some new friends from the experience and witness some of the more exotic locations of the world - although he will miss his friends and family.

Anthony said: "I have no previous sailing experience and applied for the race after chancing upon an advert in a Sunday magazine. I believe that this is one of the truly great physical challenges and am looking forward to pushing myself to the limit.

"Whilst sharing a 68ftt yacht with 16 others in sometimes cold and uncomfortable conditions is no mean feat, I know that the clipper race will be the experience of a lifetime."

The contest in which Anthony is competing is the world's longest circumnavigation race. The race begins on Sunday September 18 next year from the Albert Dock, Liverpool.

The 2005 race has a new route, sailing 35,000 miles around five continents. The yachts in this race are larger but faster and lighter than before. The style of the new yacht means that beginners can sail them. And by the end of the race the yachtsmen will be professionals.

While on board, Anthony will face changing weather patterns and cramped conditions. But he says he is looking forward to the physical and mental challenges.

He has recently completed the first of three intensive training sessions to prepare for his adventure.

But Anthony will spend the next year trying to raise more than £20,000 of sponsorship to take part in the challenge of a lifetime.