Clipper Race 2013-14: Former England rugby sevens captain Ollie Phillips ...

“I hope they have all delved deeply in their pockets for a great cause.

It looked horrific, and the Union Jack was well designed by [former Daily

Telegraph journalist, blogger and fellow "worlder" on GREAT Britain]

Nikki Banks. At least we managed to make some use for the horrendous beard.”

^{Don’t slip: Phillips has his beard hacked off (CLIPPER RACE)}

Phillips decided to take the Clipper Race challenge after he severed a nerve

in his calf playing while preparing for last year’s Rugby World Cup Sevens

in Moscow (during which New Zealand defeated England in the final). “I

just thought I need to do something to occupy my time,” he said when

GREAT Britain set sail from London on Sep 1 last year.

Back in London, having helped his boat around 40,000 miles, Phillips said that

the on-board atmosphere was the key to his enjoyment and their success.

“The people were the highlight, the crew that we had were just amazing,”

he told Telegraph Sport. “What an incredible group of

individuals that went around the world.

“All of the oceans were challenging – the Southern or the Pacific were

perhaps the more difficult – but it is the fact that these guys managed to

get around together that was the biggest achievement of all, as a team. And

doing so incredibly well, too – we have been on the podium more than any

other boat, won the most races, so we are very proud of that.”

GREAT Britain achieved 150 points, 16.9 fewer than overall winners Henri

Lloyd, but managed to win the last race, the 250-mile sprint from Den Helder

in Holland to Southend.

“We had to do it, coming in to our home port. We wanted that win really

badly,” Phillips continued. “We have worked incredibly hard all

year round and that was the culmination of a fantastic 11 months of work.”

Now that he is back on dry land Phillips’s thoughts will drift back to rugby,

and he is determined to train hard to be reselected for the England squad

for the Rio de Janeiro Games in two years time, when the sport will make its

Olympic debut.

“I’ve missed the rugby training,” he said. “I’m going to

have to a little bit of hard work now to get back in to shape for rugby.

Weirdly, although it was hard work, the Clipper Race was a welcome respite,

to be honest – your body needs it after 11 years of professional sport. At

least it was off my leg while I was on the boat.

“I want to get back and try and play. If my leg and nerve holds out I

will be aiming to get back in to the England side.”

And if a return to international rugby does not work out?

“I hope it does, but if not I will retire and might become a sailor. And

I’m trekking to the North Pole in May,” he added. “I’ve got

the adventure bug now.”

If all else fails, Phillips can grow his beard – after all, it’s for a very

good cause.

Since 1983 Wooden Spoon has helped over one million disadvantaged

children and young people. The charity, which has a large rugby heritage,

has raised some £20 million and is one of the largest funders of respite and

medical treatment centres, sensory enhancement therapeutic facilities,

specialist playgrounds, sports activity areas, and community-based

programmes in the UK.

You can help Ollie Phillips raise money for Wooden

Spoon by donating directly at his JustGiving

page. JustGiving sends your donation straight to Wooden Spoon and

automatically reclaims Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer, so your donation

is worth even more.

Article source: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/quiet-man-borthwick-looks-to-bow-out-with-a-bang-9456203.html

Clipper Race 2013-14: Former England rugby sevens captain Ollie Phillips ...