As the only female trainee on board and one of the only foreign trainees Annika Zayac filled a unique niche on the Spirit of Bermuda.

The 17-year-old was originally supposed to sail on another ship which pulled out of the race. When she heard the news she went searching on the Tall Ship Atlantic Challenge website and came across the Spirit.

"She seemed pretty and fast so I thought she was a good fit," Annika said. "Plus many of the crew were around my age."

Having spent previous summers on tall ships Annika hopes to continue sail training and become a professional sailor and she said Spirit was helping her reach her goal, having promoted her to junior assistant engineer on the Bermuda to Charleston leg.

As a non-Bermudian on a ship built specifically to connect Bermuda's youth with their maritime history and encourage them to take leadership roles Annika said she has never felt out of place.

"I have definitely felt welcome. It exceeded my expectations. I didn't expect to fit in as well as I feel I fit in.

"Before coming on board all I knew about the Island was where it was. I have learned a lot about the people. From what I can judge from the guys on board Bermudians are very relaxed and very passionate about things such as fishing. Every single one of them has a fantastic sense of humour.

"I would definitely encourage other American youth to come on board it is a unique way to learn another culture."

Having spent three weeks at sea with a Bermudian crew, Annika is now ready to experience the Island for herself. In particular, she is looking forward to taking long walks across Bermuda.

Not only is she unique in that she has not lived in Bermuda, she is also the only female trainee on board and one of three females in the crew of 23. Prior to her adventure many people questioned if she would be physically strong enough to sail across the ocean or mentally prepared enough to sail on a ship surrounded by males. But so far Annika has encountered no problems.

"More women should get involved in tall ship sailing," she said. "It is a better way to understand your male counterparts! It's also a great experience and strengthens you as a person and as a woman.

"I am getting stronger every day. It makes it easier that every time I haul on a line I am getting stronger. If I was letting myself be the weak one on the team, then it would be an issue.

"Sail training is not meant to take you as you are but develop you. And as far as being on the boat with boys, it's more about the sense of community than the battle of the sexes.

"I feel really blessed that I landed myself on the Spirit of Bermuda. Looking back I do not think I would have wanted to be on any other boat.

"I have learned to accept people that are different from myself and how to work better as a team."

Annika will be on Spirit for the North American legs and will sail the ship back to Bermuda at the end on July.