Holly (19), of Robin Hood’s Bay, was chosen for the race from 150 applicants, despite having no previous sailing experience.

She joined the crew of the Hull and Humber yacht in Durban, South Africa for the third leg of the race to Fremantle – some 4,200 miles.

She helped her team to fourth, placing them third overall.

Speaking exclusively to the Whitby Gazette from Fremantle, former sports studies student Holly said having secured her place on board, she decided to make a holiday out of it.

“I was really happy because I’d never been to South Africa or Australia before,” she said.

“That was one of the big things I wanted to do – I would have liked to do another leg in the race but I’m happy in Australia.”

Despite encountering storms and being warned of 30ft ocean waves, Holly said it soon changed to “bikini weather” and flat calms.

Her duties on board saw her work four hours on, four hours off as the team worked tirelessly catch the third leg’s front runners.

“The last few days it was all hands on deck – it was really tiring but the 10 of us who were selected had never sailed before so it was a great learning curve for everyone,” she said.

Holly’s crew mates assisted a man from another boat who had fallen overboard in force six to seven winds, supplying oxygen once he had been rescued.

She said her crew also played a role in petitioning to stop modern-day slavery.

Their sponsors came up with the idea of taking the petition on each leg of the global race, with various ambassadors signing it before it is presented to the authorities in Liverpool.

Holly’s parents Alan and Joan are flying out to Australia and are expected to join her on Boxing Day.

She will now stay on indefinitely in Fremantle after falling under its spell.

“I was really impressed by Fremantle and thought I could live here for a while – and that was after five hours.

“It depends how much I miss home.”