Lou Boorman celebrates home port win in round-the-world yacht race

A HAVERFORDWEST-born sailor has led her team to a landmark victory on the global stage, winning a major leg of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race as it arrived in South Korea.

Lou Boorman, aged 23, skippered Team Tongyeong to first place as the fleet sailed into the Korean port city this week (Mar 16), marking a historic moment for the race.

The win is particularly significant as it is the first time the round-the-world event has ever stopped in Korea – and the home team claimed the top spot.

Speaking from the yacht after crossing the finish line, Lou said: “We did it, we performed under the pressure! To get a win into our home port, I can die happy!”

From Pembrokeshire to the world stage

Lou, who grew up in Haverfordwest, has quickly risen through the ranks of competitive sailing. Before taking on the challenge of leading a Clipper Race team, she had already secured titles as British, Irish and Welsh Female Champion.

Now skippering one of the race’s international teams, she is responsible not only for navigation and strategy, but also for leading a diverse crew – many of whom had never sailed before joining the race.

The Clipper Race is one of the toughest endurance challenges in sport, covering 40,000 nautical miles over eleven months, with crews facing extreme weather conditions ranging from freezing Pacific crossings to equatorial heat.

High-stakes gamble pays off

Team Tongyeong took a major risk during this stage, playing its ‘Joker’ card – a race tactic that doubles points if successful.

The gamble paid off, earning the team maximum points and securing their place at the top of the leaderboard.

Lou said: “We’ve worked really hard and put a lot of pressure on ourselves. Going into our home port there is a lot of pressure to perform, and we added to that pressure by playing our Joker – and we got twenty points, so I’m very proud of the team.”

This marks the team’s second win in recent stages, building momentum as they pass the halfway point of the global race.

Life at sea and leadership challenges

Reflecting on her journey so far, Lou highlighted the challenges of leadership as much as the physical demands of sailing.

She said: “Sometimes the sailing comes second to the people because they are the important ones. To lead them through that is one of the toughest things I’ve ever done, but it’s also one of the most rewarding.”

She added: “My favourite thing about sailing is the magic of the sea, the stars, the storms and the remoteness. I feel free and at my happiest at sea.”

Global race continues

The Clipper Race fleet will remain in Tongyeong for a week of cultural events before setting off across the North Pacific towards Seattle.

The race will later visit Panama, Washington DC, and Oban before returning to Portsmouth this summer, completing a full circumnavigation of the globe.

For Pembrokeshire, Lou’s achievement puts a local name firmly on the world sailing map – and highlights the global reach of talent from West Wales.

Direct flights from Cardiff make Canada more accessible than ever

TORONTO has long been one of the world’s most dynamic cities—but in 2026, it is set to shine brighter than ever.

With a packed calendar of major sporting events, new attractions, and a renewed focus on arts, culture, and design, Canada’s largest city is fast becoming one of North America’s must-visit destinations.

For travellers across Wales and the West of England, getting there has never been easier. New direct flights from Cardiff Airport with WestJet launch on Friday (May 23), with return fares starting from £425*, offering a convenient alternative to travelling via London.

A city constantly reinventing itself, Toronto offers something new on every visit. In 2026, visitors can expect expanded waterfront experiences, new cultural spaces, and a thriving creative scene that continues to redefine the city.

Neighbourhoods such as Queen West, Riverside, and the Distillery District are at the heart of this energy—home to independent boutiques, craft breweries, contemporary galleries, and live music venues that showcase Toronto’s creative pulse.

The city’s diversity is perhaps its greatest strength, and nowhere is this more evident than in its food. From authentic Chinatown dumplings and Little Italy pasta to Caribbean street food and cutting-edge chef-led pop-ups, Toronto offers a global dining experience unlike any other. Nearby Ontario wine regions and lakeside farm-to-table restaurants add even more depth to its culinary appeal.

Despite its urban scale, Toronto also offers easy access to nature. A short ferry ride brings visitors to the peaceful beaches of the Toronto Islands, while scenic parks, lakes, and hiking trails are all within easy reach. Just 90 minutes away, Niagara Falls provides one of the world’s most iconic natural day trips.

The city will also take centre stage in 2026 as a host city for the FIFA World Cup, giving visitors the chance to experience world-class football in a truly global setting.

Toronto’s position as a major international hub makes it an ideal gateway for further travel. From here, visitors can easily extend their journey to destinations including Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City, or major US cities such as New York, Chicago and Boston. Canada’s vast national parks and scenic regions are also within reach.

Whether it’s a family holiday, a cultural escape, or a multi-city North American adventure, Toronto offers a compelling alternative to traditional long-haul destinations.

With direct flights now operating from Cardiff Airport, travellers can begin their journey closer to home—avoiding long transfers and enjoying a smoother start to their trip.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “Toronto is one of the most vibrant and exciting destinations in North America, offering visitors an incredible mix of culture, cuisine, sport and natural beauty.

“With direct flights now available from Cardiff with WestJet, travellers across Wales and the West of England can discover everything the city and the wider region has to offer, while enjoying the convenience of starting their journey from their local airport.”

Haverfordwest man told police “women won’t have sex without force”

A HAVERFORDWEST man who raped a woman and a young boy and attempted to rape a child has been jailed for more than 21 years.

Talha Ahmadzai, aged 33, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Mar 16) after admitting a series of serious sexual and violent offences committed in February last year.

The offences involved three victims — a woman, a girl and a boy.

Ahmadzai pleaded guilty to three counts of rape, rape of a child under 13, attempted rape of a child under 13, causing a child to watch a sexual act, assault by beating, and cruelty to a person under 16.

The court imposed an extended sentence of 21 years and seven months, comprising 19 years and seven months in custody followed by a two-year licence period. He must serve at least two-thirds of the custodial term before he can be considered for release by the Parole Board.

An indefinite restraining order was also imposed, banning him from any contact with his victims.

Shocking remarks to police

Following his arrest, Ahmadzai initially claimed the allegations had been fabricated. During police interview, he told officers: “Women won’t have sex without force.”

He also questioned the authority of the UK courts, stating that the acts he was accused of “were not offences in his country.”

“Catalogue of abhorrent offending”

Sentencing, Judge Huw Rees described Ahmadzai’s actions as a “catalogue of abhorrent offending of the utmost seriousness.”

The court heard he had been “sexually preoccupied for a long time” and held “entrenched views,” with a pre-sentence report concluding he posed a high risk to the public.

Ahmadzai, who appeared via video link from a psychiatric hospital, has no previous convictions.

In mitigation, defence barrister David Singh said his client had committed “appalling offences of the most serious type” and suggested his behaviour followed a “psychotic episode,” for which he has since received treatment.

Police praise victims’ bravery

Detective Inspector Sarah Totterdale, of North Pembrokeshire CID, said: “Ahmadzai is clearly an incredibly dangerous and cruel individual, and the sentence he has received reflects this.

“I would like to commend the bravery and dignity shown by his victims, who courageously gave their evidence of their horrendous ordeals. To do so and relive their experience must have been incredibly traumatic.

“Thanks to their evidence, and the hard work of our detectives, we were able to secure this result and ensure he is no longer a danger to the public.”

Deportation to be considered

Judge Rees said the case would be referred to the Home Office to consider Ahmadzai’s deportation following completion of his sentence.

Dyfed-Powys Police said support is available for anyone affected by rape or sexual violence, and urged victims to come forward.