A TEACHER who gave up her job to take part in a round-the-world yacht race is back home after helping her crew to victory - but she's already planning her next voyage.

A TEACHER who gave up her job to take part in a round-the-world yacht race is back home after helping her crew to victory - but she's already planning her next voyage.

Rachael Pryce, 36, who lives between Beccles and Bungay, spent two months as a crew-member on the Spirit of Australia on the final leg of the Clipper Round the World race, sailing from Jamaica to Hull via New York, Nova Scotia, Cork and the Netherlands.

The former teacher at Benjamin Britten High School in Lowestoft was part of an 18-strong crew, taking on nine other boats in the gruelling race, facing “every type of sea conditions imaginable.”

The race finished last month and Rachael was able to share in the celebrations as the Spirit of Australia secured victory.

“I had an amazing time,” she said. “I think I felt every emotion I could experience - from deep depression in the North Atlantic when visibility was down to 25 metres to the elation of when the sun broke through and lifted our spirits so high.”

She added: “I've already booked my place in the next race, in August next year. I've signed up to do the leg that goes from San Francisco, through the Panama Canal and up to New York which should get under way in May or June 2012. I can't wait!”

The Journal reported how Rachael had opted to take part in the race a year after being diagnosed with a rare and untreatable condition - necrotising lymphodentitis - which mimics the symptoms of cancer and leaves her at risk of becoming tired and run-down. But doctors gave her the go-ahead and she began her voyage in May.

Rachael said her illness had caused her no problems during the race but she had felt “very tired” by the time the crew reached Hull.

She's now preparing to return to teaching at a school in Gorleston, but added: “I'm seriously looking at doing the exams and doing pro-crewing. The race has certainly opened up some possibilities.

“I've made friends all around the world. I can't wait to take up the invitations to visit everyone.”