3 minute read
Who trains the people capable of the toughest jobs in the world?
READY TO RACE
Regarded as one of the toughest jobs in the Clipper Race, Skippers must endure five months of intensive training to hone their leadership and team development skills.
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The Skippers leading teams in the Clipper 2019-20 Race have a combined total of 1,312,300 nautical miles in their log books, and bring a vast range of experience to their role. Skippers are appointed after a gruelling selection process, but the hard work does not end there as an intensive five-month training programme then begins.
Clipper Race Co-Founder and Chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston says: “Not many people are capable of racing and leading a team in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. As well as being excellent sailors who are proven in taking on the planet’s most hostile environments, Clipper Race Skippers must also be outstanding instructors, exceptional motivators, and strong role models. They will need to be calm and patient under pressure, and understand all types of personalities.”
Clipper Race Skippers need to display an extraordinary amount of focus and determination over the almost year-long challenge as they lead their everyday crew through some of the planet’s harshest and most hostile conditions.
Sir Robin adds: “The role of Clipper Race Skipper is one of the toughest, but most rewarding jobs that exists anywhere in life. It’s a real test of seamanship, and incredibly challenging but is also probably the best job in the world. Our Skippers will work very hard but the rewards are immeasurable. It will be an experience of a lifetime for them.”
Jeronimo Santos Gonzalez, Race Skipper, Punta del Este.
A Skipper’s pre-race schedule involves a wide range of rigorous training. This includes a bespoke advanced medical training programme conducted by Praxes, the Global Medical Support Partner for the Clipper 2019-20 Race. Other areas include specialist training in weather systems, navigational software (from Race Partner Timezero by MaxSea) and onboard sail repairs by Official Supplier Hyde Sails.
Sir Robin says:
Grahame Robb Associates (GRA) is new to the Clipper Race for the 2019-20 edition as Official Learning and Development Supplier. The company has delivered a bespoke leadership development programme, specially designed to hone the skills of its professional Skippers and Mates ahead of the twelfth race edition.
Grahame Robb, Managing Director of GRA, says: “The Clipper Race is a high-profile endurance race which, by its very nature, challenges people to push beyond their comfort zone.
“We have 30 years of experience supporting leaders to develop by pushing the boundaries of their comfort zone and enhancing their awareness of their leadership style.
This year’s Race Skippers undergoing leadership and development training with members of Grahame Robb Associates.
GRA (gra.uk.com) operates a Challenge by Choice ethos, which encourages people to push the boundaries of what they thought they were capable of and uncover new strengths they didn’t realise they had.
The bespoke GRA leadership development programme for the Clipper Race is built on the Skippers’ and Mates’ existing leadership capabilities. The results will be to effectively build and lead high-performing teams for the duration of the race around the world.
UK-based GRA are experts in providing people and organisational development training programmes on a global scale. The staff are experienced in supporting top-level sports teams and corporate organisations with practical, results-focused programmes that produce better leaders and more effective teams.
“By partnering with the Clipper Race, we have enabled its Skippers and Mates to enhance their leadership skills through practical, experiential learning. We’ve helped them to be the very best they can be in high-pressure situations, enabling these leaders to get the best out of their teams while racing around the world.”
