Vadim Novikov has been promoted to Captain of Star Flyer, 11 years after joining the company as a Deck Cadet. The 36-year old Russian-born Master is the youngest Captain of the fleet, having joined the company following a sighting of Star Flyer whilst training as a cadet on board the Kruzenshtern in 2013.   In a story reminiscent of Star Clippers’ founder, Captain Novikov spent his early childhood on board sailing ships, spending his weekends and free time amongst a blended group of crew and family on board Kruzenshtern, the training vessel on which his father was a captain.   Captain Novikov says:   ‘From a young age I was always around tall ships. Instead of attending kindergarten, the training ship was my natural childhood environment. After my first year in Kaliningrad Maritime University, I went to sea for my initial practical training with a group of cadets. Most of the things on board the ship were already familiar to me, it felt like a natural environment I knew before.   One summer in 2013, on board Kruzenshtern, I saw Star Flyer for the first time. At first, I thought she was another training ship, but I saw passengers disembarking. I didn’t know such ships existed, so I spoke to the crew and 6 months later, in January 2014, I got my first contract with Star Clippers.’   Star Clippers, which offers guests the experience of sailing on board an authentic tall ship without any compromises on comfort or amenities, prides themselves on nurturing crew members throughout their career at sea. Brunon Borowska, another Captain within the fleet, will celebrate 30 years with Star Clippers in November.   Captain Vadim Novikov is currently on board Star Flyer, where he will shortly be commencing the sold-out transatlantic crossing with 166 guests on board.