A HAMPSHIRE sailor was today due to set sail on a ground-breaking voyage round the world in 80 days.

Just 18 months after graduating, Nick Houchin has been signed up as one of five crew to sail a 75ft trimaran non-stop around the globe.

The challenge is one of the major projects launched by Oman Sail, a multi-million pound scheme to promote sailing and boost the Emirate’s maritime history.

It will also aim to make a star out of Moshin Al Busaidi, who will become the first Omani ever to race round the world.

Moshin, who had never sailed before being picked for the Oman Sail project, was selected from eight Omanis in an X-Factor-style series of auditions.

Nick, from Southampton, will join Moshin along with Frenchmen Loik Gallon and Thierry Duprey Du Vorsent as well as Cowes-based Charles Darbyshire.

To see Musandam in action on the Solent, click above

The 24-year-old former Solent University student said: “It’s really very exciting to be part of such a ground-breaking trip, and it makes me very proud to be a little part of Omani history.

“I’ve never done anything like this before so it’s a bit daunting.

“I keep wondering if I’m ready to take on such a massive challenge – but it is something I have dreamed of doing for so long I would have been stupid to turn down the opportunity.

“It will be a race against the clock to complete the voyage.”

Nick, who has been making a living from sailing since graduating in July 2007, was asked to join the crew after helping refit the trimaran Musandam – formerly Ellen MacArthur’s record breaking B7Q Castorama – while the yacht was in Cowes.

Click above to see a trailer for Oman Sail

“The yacht had a refit and it was bought by the Omanis,” said Nick.

“They needed an extra pair of hands to get it ready for the delivery to Oman so I helped out.

“Then out of the blue in October I got an e-mail asking me if I’d like to go round the world – I couldn’t believe it!”

At 1pm local time today the team will set sail from the Marina Bander Al Rowda in time to start the challenge at 2pm.

The voyage is expected to take the Oman Sail team around 80 days to complete.

The Oman Sail project also has a high performance Extreme 40 catamaran as well as an F18 two-man catamaran, which are currently crewed by professionals but will be sailed solely by the Omanis when they are experienced enough.