During training skippers assess the sailing ability, leadership and team working skills as well as compatibility with other crew of all those taking part in the race.
Our aim is to produce ten balanced racing teams
During every level of the training programme, our training skippers and first mates assess the sailing ability, leadership and team working skills as well as compatibility with other crew of all those taking part in the race.
This information is then considered during the lengthy process of crew allocation when each person is assigned to a team. Our aim is to produce ten racing teams, each of which has a balanced mix across gender, age, and, above all, sailing ability, so as to create a level playing field for the race. Where possible nationalities are allocated to boats with sponsors relevant to them and when every crew member has been given a place, Clipper hosts a crew allocation day. This day-long event is open to every crew member and, after a morning of presentations held in a large auditorium, the ten race skippers are introduced. They read out the names of those who will sail with them and the afternoon and evening is spent in break-out sessions as each team begins to plan its campaign, gets to know one another better and sets out final preparations in the weeks leading up to race start.