Clipper Race Skipper: The most challenging role in sailing
by Clipper Race 21 Nov 12:53 PST
Challenging circumstances encountered during the Clipper 2023-24 Race © Clipper Race
Responsible for steering a crew of up to 22 adventurers around the globe, a Clipper Race Skipper occupies one of the most challenging leadership roles in sailing.
Once selected through a demanding process, Skippers undergo five months of rigorous training.
The selection method includes various interview stages and strenuous on-water assessments, but the effort continues beyond that. Upon selection, Skippers participate in an extensive training program to refine their abilities across multiple aspects, including on-water drills, leadership development, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and each level of Clipper Race Training courses.
The Clipper Race Management Team oversees the recruitment and training of Skippers, primarily consisting of former Clipper Race Skippers who have firsthand experience racing internationally.
Dale Smyth, Clipper Race Director, stated: “The Clipper Race Skipper role ranks among the most difficult positions in sailing. We seek not only highly experienced offshore sailors but exceptional team leaders. Managing a crew of up to 22 in a confined space while racing for eleven months demands the highest level of individual. Resilience and enthusiasm are essential to maintaining competitiveness and ensuring team satisfaction.”
“Even though this role is demanding, the rewards are equally significant, as you play a key role in helping individuals realize their lifelong aspirations. As a former Clipper Race skipper myself, I can confirm that the experience is both challenging and gratifying.”
Clipper Race Skippers receive comprehensive training. They become intimately familiar with their ocean racing yachts and prepare to lead their crews around the globe. Their primary responsibility is to ensure crew safety while coaching the diverse Clipper Race team, assisting them in becoming skilled ocean racers. Approximately 40% of their crew have never sailed before joining the intensive Clipper Race Training program. Every crew member must complete four essential training levels prior to the race, acquiring necessary knowledge and skills to be effective members of the team.
However, true learning begins once the racing commences. It is here that the Race Skipper plays a key role in sharing knowledge, teaching, refining skills, and mentoring team members to empower their growth and development.
Max Rivers, Deputy Race Director, captained the Our Isles and Oceans team during the 2023-24 edition. Reflecting on the opportunities available to a professional skipper, he explained: “A Clipper Race skipper offers a unique chance to instruct a crew from a diverse range of backgrounds in some of the world’s most remote locations. Teaching everyday individuals, often without prior sailing experience, to navigate the globe safely while participating in a race is a challenge unique to the Clipper Race.”
“Leading our fantastic crew is a genuine pleasure, and we often learn from them just as much as they learn from us. We have incredible support from the maintenance and HQ teams, ensuring we feel secure even far from shore. We traverse oceans that feature on every sailor’s wish list and witness the planet’s beauty at its most unspoiled.”
To assist each Race Skipper, every yacht is equipped with a First Mate.
Dale continues: “These individuals are fully qualified and skilled maritime professionals who assist the Race Skipper in managing the yacht and overseeing the crew. They play a crucial role in helping all crew members achieve their objectives. First Mates are exceptional professionals well-established in the maritime sector, many of whom aim to progress to becoming Race Skippers in the future utilizing the clear pathway provided by Clipper Ventures.”
The pre-race agenda for Skippers and First Mates is both comprehensive and varied. They spend large amounts of time on the water and familiarize themselves with every aspect of the Clipper 70s. Training includes the use of specialized navigational software by TIMEZERO, instruction on lifejacket maintenance and safety provided by Spinlock, and further training from Marlow Ropes. Specialized sessions on topics such as enhanced medical training and weather systems led by Clipper Race Meteorologist Simon Rowell are also included.
During both the 2019-20 and 2023-24 editions, Grahame Robb Associates (GRA) collaborated with the Clipper Race as Official Learning and Development Supplier. They provided a tailored leadership and development program for Race Skippers and First Mates to enhance their existing leadership skills. GRA leverages its substantial experience in coaching elite sports teams and corporate leaders to offer a distinctive learning experience.
The customized program is designed to encourage these professionals to push their capabilities further. It enhances the leadership qualities of Race Skippers through experiential learning, simulating the pressures of genuine race conditions and introducing them to fresh challenges.
If you’re considering advancing your sailing career to become a Race Skipper or First Mate, applications are currently open for the Clipper 2025-26 Race and future events. Learn more here!
