A clinical psychologist is resting in Cuba before setting off on the next leg of an epic round-the-world yacht race.

Polly Pratt, 29, from Brighton, and her fellow amateur crew members, are currently in Havana before beginning stage two of their journey tomorrow.

She swapped work for adventure on the seven seas through the Clipper 2002 race which will not finish until September, next year, in Liverpool.

The first leg of their journey aboard the 60ft racing yacht, The Bristol Clipper, took 28 days after leaving Merseyside and travelling via Portugal.

Polly's team is enjoying a hard-earned rest in the Caribbean.

They were the second team to cross the finishing line of the first leg but because of the way scores are calculated, are in fourth overall.

She said: "This has been a truly exhilarating encounter.

"Over the whole six weeks, so far, we have experienced the highs of ocean racing as well as the lows and the last few days of racing were real nail-biting stuff.

"Opportunities for ordinary people to sail in a round-the-world yacht race and achieve the extraordinary are few and far between so it's with great pride that I'm taking part in this special challenge."

Each of the eight yachts competing in the race are crewed by 14 amateurs who sail under the guidance of a professional skipper.

The Bristol Clipper was beaten on the first leg by The New York Clipper, which finished nine hours ahead of them. The Jersey Clipper came third.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, race organiser and the first man to sail solo non-stop around the world, said: "I would like to congratulate Polly and all of the Clipper crews for completing their first ocean crossing which is a major achievement itself."

Intense competition is expected in the second leg which will take Polly and her team on a 6,100-mile journey from Cuba to Hawaii, via Panama and Galapagos.

It is expected they will arrive in early February after seven weeks sailing.