News

Onboard roles: Skipper

25 July 2007

One of the skipper’s toughest jobs is man-management and it is up to him or her to delegate roles on board to their crew members, taking into account their skills and abilities, to produce a competitive racing team. They do not take part in the watch system themselves but are always on call to oversee the running of the boat and to discuss and decide tactics with the crew. Their principal point of contact is with the designated watch leaders who report to the skipper at every watch changeover.

Each week one of the ten skippers acts as lead skipper for the fleet. The main task of this role while the fleet is at sea is to coordinate the radio schedules every 12 hours when each skipper reports his or her boat’s position to Race Control. On land the duty skipper acts as the communication link between the Race Director and the other race skippers.

Visit Clipper Round The World Yacht Race for more exciting updates.