A TRIO of Welsh sailors are set to take on one of the toughest jobs in sailing as they are appointed as Skippers in the upcoming edition of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.
Professional sailors Alistair Dickson, Lowri “Lou” Boorman and Gavin Rees will each lead one of eleven teams of non-professional sailors, making six ocean crossings on the 40,000 nautical mile, eleven-month race around the globe. The Clipper Race is the only event of its kind which trains people from all walks of life to become ocean racers and take on the endurance challenge of a lifetime.
Alistair, who hails from Menai Bridge, leaves behind a career as Director of Sport Development at the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) to take on his next challenge.
On being chosen for the role, Alistair said: “I am incredibly honoured to be selected as a Skipper on the Clipper 2025-26 Race. This opportunity combines my passion for sailing and team development in a truly unique way.
“Having spent years honing my skills on dinghies and yachts around the world, I am eager to lead a team that thrives not only on performance, but on collaboration and camaraderie.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead, to pushing ourselves to new heights, and to creating unforgettable experiences along the way.”
Haverfordwest’s Lou has competitive sailing in her blood. At age 16 she had already competed on the international sailing stage clinching the British, Irish and Welsh Female Champion title. To be appointed as a Clipper Race Skipper is a “huge professional and personal goal” for her.
She said: “the balance of sailing skill, problem solving, people management and endurance for over 40,000nm is all part of the challenge.
“I can’t wait to witness the magic of the sea, the stars, the storms and mostly the remoteness and the environment it provides for the most profound realisations and conversations. I feel free and at my happiest at sea.”
For Gavin, who calls Abergavenny home, stepping into the role is a dream come true, after he was inspired to circumnavigate following a school visit from Clipper Race founder, and first person to sail around the world single-handed, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. He’s taking the leap from a career as HR Director in the corporate world to race Skipper because “it’s the ultimate job for him.”
Talking about his love of sailing, Gavin said: “I can’t wait to spend a year sailing around the globe, because every day on the water is different. It brings new opportunities to work as a team, to overcome whatever challenges may come along, and to sail fast and safe.
“That feeling the whole crew are going to have at the end is going to be fab!”
The three Skippers bring an extensive and impressive sailing backgrounds to the race, that will no doubt become the catalyst for some competitive racing once the next edition gets underway this August.
Alistair started sailing at his local sailing club aged just eleven years old and has been racing internationally since his teenage years, becoming a world, European, and triple national champion in dinghies. Since then, Alistair has competed on yachts worldwide, including Cowes Week regattas and the Sydney Hobart Race, and led sailing expeditions in the Canary Islands and around the Caribbean.
Gavin has taken every opportunity to sail – whether that be coastal cruising or longer offshore passages. Competitive in nature, he has also raced around the cans and in the RORC Offshore series including the Rolex Fastnet Race. Most recently, Gavin has spent time as a Clipper Race Training Instructor, putting future Clipper Race crew members through their paces as they undertake their four stages of training.
Lou’s sailing career started at just eight years old when she got a taste for the sport through her local RYA Onboard scheme, very quickly becoming hooked. Her vast and varied career has taken her to many corners of the globe; she will often be found doing sail training around the UK, or carrying out deliveries around Europe, the Atlantic, Bermuda and Caribbean. She also boasts being the youngest person to ever skipper the Round Britain and Ireland Race.
The next edition will start from Portsmouth on 31 August and over the course of the almost yearlong event, over 700 participants will face all that Mother Nature can throw at them. From hurricane force winds, to blistering heat, the isolation of the North Pacific Ocean to learning to live aboard a yacht with stripped back facilities with up to 23 others – this event is a true test of mental and physical fortitude.
The three skippers went through a rigorous selection process led by the Clipper Race Management Team. The team’s Race Director, Deputy Race Director and Race Manager have all competed as Race Skipper’s on previous editions and therefore understand the unique requirements of this role.
Clipper Race Director, Dale Smyth, says: “Our selection process is tough, and rightly so, as these individuals are taking on one of the toughest jobs in the global sailing industry.
“They need to not only be incredibly good sailors but able to lead, inspire and look after a big team of diverse individuals across the harshest oceans on the planet.”
Sailing is one of the few sports where men and women compete together in mixed teams. On the Clipper Race – each team is led by a professional sailing duo of Skipper and First Mate and has a mixed team of up to 22 Race Crew. In previous editions the male/female percentage split across participants has been 70/30.
On this, Lou added: “There are no ‘pink jobs’ or ‘blue jobs’ on the boat. I am capable of doing every role and I am 5ft 2. If I can do everything, I know every single one of my crew can do all of those jobs as well.”
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race was founded by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, thirty years ago (March 1995) and trains people from all walks of life to learn seamanship and become ocean racers. Each participant must complete four stages of intensive training before signing up for one or multiple legs or can complete the full 40,000 nautical mile circumnavigation. The eleven strong fleet of matched Clipper 70 ocean racing yachts make six ocean crossings – including the North Pacific and the Clipper Race is the only round the world yacht race to cross this ocean.
The race will make 14 ports of call on its global route, with Portsmouth (UK), Cape Town (South Africa), Qingdao (China) and Tongyeong City (Korea) announced so far, with more port announcements due next week.
Applications are still open for crew to sign up to participate in the Clipper 2025-26 Race. To find out more visit Clipper Round the World’s website.
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