Mustafa Ingham has taken another step towards his ambition to become a professional sailor.

The Bermudian is presently involved in an apprenticeship with Volvo Ocean Race racing syndicate Turn the Tide on Plastic and, if all goes accordingly, he hopes to attain professional status and compete in the 11-stage, 45,000 nautical mile race around the world.

Ingham is one of two Bermudians associated with the prestigious race as Emily Nagel, formerly with Team BDA and SoftBank Japan, is a member of Team Akzonobel.

“I’m basically in a Volvo Race Academy and their goal is to take me from not being able to sail one of these boats to getting experience offshore,” Ingham told The Royal Gazette.

“I’m learning the ins and outs of the race team and it’s almost like the America’s Cup but with a different boat.

“The event finishes in June and hopefully by then I can be certified and can do some offshore racing across the world like Emily.

“To become a professional sailor with those qualifications I can do offshore racing in monohulls or catamaran and, if I can compete in the Volvo Race, I can get my name out there for doing something outstanding.”

Team Turn the Tide on Plastic, skippered by Britain’s Dee Caffari, brought up the rear in the seven-boat fleet after completing the first leg of the race from Alicante, Spain to Lisbon, Portugal in 20hr 36min 52sec.

Ingham is scheduled to take a series of courses in Southampton, England, towards his certification before rejoining his team in Cape Town, South Africa, at the end of the second leg of the race which commences on Sunday in Lisbon.

The opportunity to pursue his dream of becoming a professional sailor was made possible by the support of the Bermuda Tourism Authority and XL Capital.

“I really have to thank them for investing in me,” Ingham said. “They are allowing me to live my dream and I can’t explain or put into words how thankful I am for this opportunity, which I hope to make the most of.

“Getting to travel and experience different cultures is pretty nice and to have two Bermudians involved [the Volvo Ocean Race] is pretty big.”

The first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race, which started on October 22, was won by Vestas 11th Hour Racing, who completed the 1,450 nautical mile sprint in 14:08:45.

Nagel and her Team Akzonobel finished fourth in 18:11:56.

“The Volvo Race can be compared to the America’s Cup, but it just goes on for ever,” Ingham said.

“It’s more friendly and more of an open environment. No one is hiding too many secrets accept like playbook stuff and all the boats [high-performance Volvo Ocean 65] are the same, so it’s just manpower and willpower and it’s a test.

“It’s a big event and you learn so much about yourself because you spend so much time by yourself and others and teamwork is a very key thing in it.”