Pindar skipper Loz Marriott was ‘stripped of his power’ today as he underwent the ritual of having his head totally shaved in preparation of the start of Sunday’s Global Challenge.

Marriott (29), who’s more usually seen around the dock with a big smile on his face, was this afternoon looking very sheepish as he waited in line for his shearing experience. He said: “I actually feel more scared about having my head shaved than I do about Sunday’s start; 30kts on the nose is nothing compared to this.”

The rest of the male crew will be ‘done’ later today with proceeds (£1 per cut) going to Save the Children.