Professional sailor from Bordeaux to lead a team in epic round-the-world yacht race.
Professional sailor David Sautret, from Bordeaux, France, has been appointed as a Clipper Round the World Yacht Race Skipper, and is set to lead a team of non-professional crew members over 40,000 nautical miles around the world.
When David lines up with his team on the start line this August, he’ll be the first French skipper to take on the role in ten years.
Image: David Sautret, from Bordeaux, is set to lead a team in the Clipper 2025-26 Race.
Each team is led by a professional Skipper and First Mate, who are responsible for training, leadership, and ensuring their crew of non-professional sailors safely navigate the challenges of the race.
For David, circumnavigating as a Clipper Race Skipper is the perfect blend of challenge, adventure, and teamwork, making it a dream come true. Before the race starts, he is eager to build a close-knit, resilient team that thrives even in the most challenging conditions.
On his appointment, David said: “Racing around the world has been the dream of my life ever since I first felt the pull of the sea and the thrill of offshore racing. It’s the heartbeat of everything I’ve worked towards.
“Being chosen as a Skipper is an extraordinary honour and an electrifying privilege. To take the helm, join the Clipper Race family, and lead a crew through this legendary adventure is the culmination of years of passion and pursuit. I’m counting the days until we set off!”
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 the full 40,000 nautical mile circumnavigation. The eleven-strong fleet of matched Clipper 70 ocean racing yachts makes six ocean crossings – including the North Pacific - and the Clipper Race is the only round the world yacht race to cross this vast and unforgiving ocean.
All skippers went through an extensive selection process led by the Clipper Race Management Team. Looking ahead to the event’s 14th edition, 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.”
The Clipper 2025-26 Race Skipper Lineup
Alistair Dickson (Wales, UK)
Angela Brandsma (The Netherlands)
David Sautret (France)
Dylan Kotze (South Africa)
Ella Hebron (England, UK)
Gavin Rees (Wales, UK)
Guy Waites (England, UK)
Heather Thomas (England, UK)
Lowri “Lou” Boorman (Wales, UK)
Philip Quinn (Northern Ireland)
Terry Kavanagh (Ireland)
The race makes 14 ports of call on its global route, and on the upcoming route, Portsmouth (UK), Cape Town (South Africa), Qingdao (China) and Tongyeong City (Korea) have been announced so far, with more port announcements due from next week.
As the Clipper 2025-26 Race gears up for its departure on August 31, 2025, from Portsmouth, UK, the countdown begins for an unforgettable adventure.
Applications are still open for crew to sign up to participate on the Clipper 2025-26 Race. To find out more visit clipperroundtheworld.com.