A mother-of-four is to trace the steps of her Portuguese heritage as a sail trainee in the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009.

Lotiqua Phillips has been sponsored by Steve Thomson, the manager of Mailboxes Unlimited, to take part in the ocean race. The 30-year-old chose to sail on the leg from Tenerife because her great, great grandmother was from Cape Verde.

She said: "I had always heard that many Cape Verdians had migrated to Tenerife and I have always had a keen interest in the country. But I never thought I would actually have an opportunity to visit there so I am really, really excited about this."

Ms Phillips, who is the great-granddaughter of Dr. E.F. Gordon, is an apprentice in the welder/fabricator programme at the Government Quarry. She is the only woman in the machine shop and believes she is the only female apprentice welder on the Island.

She says she is looking forward to meeting other sail trainees from around the world, and learning about watches and navigation.

"I think this will be a very positive experience for me. It will allow me to get back in touch with myself and my surroundings," said Ms Phillips.

"This is an opportunity to experience a different way of travel and to have fun. I am looking forward to learning a different language and sharing Bermuda's culture with my new friends."

She added: "I know that this adventure will help me to inspire other young people that there is nothing that they cannot accomplish if they put their mind to it."

Ms Phillips will sail from Tenerife to Bermuda on the Dutch Tall Ship Tecla. Her mother will care for her children while she is away.

Sponsor Mr. Thomson is also the organiser of the Annual Christmas Boat Parade and is involved in several youth charities.

He said: "I remember how incredible the Bermuda Tall Ships events were in 1976 and in 2000. As this is Bermuda's 400th Anniversary of permanent settlement, I decided to sponsor one young person on one of the legs."

The businessman has been so inspired by Ms Phillips' enthusiasm, he has now also signed up as a sail trainee. Mr. Thomson will travel on the Tall Ship Europa, a Class A Barque, from Bermuda to Charleston the fourth leg of the race.

Bermuda is the third port of call in the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009, which starts in Vigo, Spain, in May. Local race organisers Tall Ships Bermuda have been planning the event for the last seven years with Sail Training International.

The race has been planned as part of the Island's 400th Anniversary celebrations. The Bank of Bermuda Foundation is the title sponsor, and the Tall Ships Festival will take place between June 11 and June15.

Tall Ships Bermuda aims to raise sponsorship for young people to take part in the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge. There are still trainee berths available and interested youngsters aged 15-30 should apply at: www.tallshipsbermuda.com

Sail Training Bermuda also encourages other businesses to consider sponsoring a sail trainee.

For more information, contact the Tall Ships Project Coordinator Paulina Brooks at 296 2238 or visit the office at the old LP Gutteridge Building (between Par-la-Ville Road and Bermudiana Road, Hamilton).