Introducing: Damian Parnham

Australian yachtsman Damian Parnham hopes to bag a hat trick for his homeland as he sets his sights on becoming the third consecutive skipper from Australia to claim victory in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

“The concept of building the team is the big challenge. I love to push myself, to dream big and lapping the planet on a fast yacht, sailing Everest, is a dream,” explains the Queensland-based skipper.

Damian, 48, has a strong racing background including racing on board the record breaking Brindabella during the Sydney-Hobart Race.

“I’m really looking forward to hopefully getting on the podium in the race to Australia, hitting 35 knots on a rollercoaster ride in the Southern Ocean and watching my crew pay their dues to Neptune as we cross Equator.”

The former Naval Marine Engineer also identifies the safety of his crew will be a priority.

“While I do not think winning at any cost is the focus I hope to raise the team to the level that we can have a good crack and being competitive.”

Skippering a team of amateur sailor around the world is no mean feat but it is one the Australian relishes as well as understanding the challenges ahead.

“Without question the management of the crew will be the hardest part of my role as skipper. They come from different walks of life and have different motivations for being on the boat.”

When Damian and his team return to the UK in June 2014 they will have raced 40,000 miles around the world, taking on some of the toughest sailing conditions on the planet.

Photography: © red-photographic